Philip S. Khoury

Philip S. Khoury is a distinguished historian and academic leader specializing in the political and social history of the modern Middle East. His scholarship examines nationalism, state formation, urban politics, and elite structures, providing deep insight into the dynamics that have shaped contemporary Arab societies. Khoury’s research integrates archival rigor with conceptual clarity, exploring the interplay of local agency, colonial mandates, and emergent political institutions.

He holds a Ph.D. in History from Harvard University and has served on the faculty of MIT since 1981, where he is the Ford International Professor of History. Khoury has also held key administrative roles, including Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, and Vice Provost, overseeing interdisciplinary initiatives, international engagement, and strategic planning. He founded the Emile Bustani Middle East Seminar, fostering interdisciplinary public dialogue on Middle Eastern affairs.

Khoury’s major publications include Urban Notables and Arab Nationalism, Syria and the French Mandate: The Politics of Arab Nationalism, 1920–1945, and co-edited volumes on tribes and state formation, which have become foundational texts in Middle Eastern studies. His work has been recognized with awards from the American Historical Association and fellowships from prominent institutions including the Fulbright‑Hays Foundation and Mellon Foundation.

Beyond scholarship, Khoury has contributed to institutional governance, serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the American University of Beirut, and as an overseer and trustee of multiple academic and research institutions worldwide. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, illustrating his combined impact on both research and institutional leadership.