| ABOUT |
INTRODUCTION
Samer S. Shehata is the Colin Mackey and Patricia Molina de Mackey Associate Professor of Middle East studies and the Middle East Studies Program Coordinator at the University of Oklahoma. He has also taught at the American University in Cairo, Columbia University, New York University, Georgetown University, and the Doha institute for Graduate Studies.
Shehata is the author of Shop Floor Culture and Politics in Egypt (SUNY, 2009 and republished with a new “Afterward” by the American University in Cairo Press in 2010), and editor of Islamist Politics in the Middle East: Movements and Change (Routledge, 2012). His articles have appeared in both academic and policy journals including the International Journal of Middle East Studies, Current History, MERIP, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, Middle East Policy, Folklore and as book chapters and encyclopedia articles. His analysis and op-ed pieces have been published in the New York Times, Boston Globe/International Herald Tribune, Salon, Slate, Arab Reform Bulletin, Al Hayat, Al Ahram Weekly and other publications.
Dr. Shehata has testified before the House Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations in the United States Congress. He has received fellowships from the Social Science Research Council, the Ford Foundation’s Middle East Research Competition, National Endowment for the Humanities, American Research Center in Egypt, and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He was named a Carnegie Scholar in 2009 for his work on Islamist politics.
Dr. Shehata has been interviewed for commentary by a wide range of media including CNN, BBC, PBS News Hour, NPR, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, FOX, C-Span, CBC, Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English, Al Arabiyya, Egyptian Satellite TV, Middle East Broadcasting Company (MBC), CCTV, New York Times, Washington Post, Time, Christian Science Monitor, Financial Times, Guardian, Le Monde, and the Sydney Morning Herald.
Dr. Shehata received a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley, an M.Phil. from the University of Cambridge, and a Ph.D. (Politics) from Princeton University, where his dissertation won the Malcolm H. Kerr Award from the Middle East Studies Association.
EDUCATION
- Ph.D. in Politics, Princeton University, 2000
- M.Phil. in Social and Political Theory, University of Cambridge, 1991
- B.A. in Political Science and Middle East Studies, University of California, Berkeley, magna cum laude, 1990
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
- Colin Mackey and Patricia Molina de Mackey Associate Professor of International and Area Studies and Coordinator, Middle East Studies, Department of International and Area Studies, University of Oklahoma, 2013 – Present.
- Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Doha, Qatar, 2015 – 2017.
- Assistant Professor of Arab Politics, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, 2005 – 2013.
- Acting Director, Arab Studies Academic Programs, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, 2002 – 2003.
- Visiting Assistant Professor, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, 2001 – 2005.
- Faculty Fellow/Assistant Professor & Director of Graduate Studies, Center for Near Eastern Studies, New York University, 2000 – 2001.
- Major Cultures Fellow, Society of Fellows in the Humanities, Columbia University, 1999 – 2000.
Curriculum Vitae
For full curriculum vitae, click [here].
| PUBLICATION |
BOOKS

Shehata’s first book, Shop Floor Culture and Politics in Egypt, was published in 2009 by the State University of New York Press (SUNY Series in the Social and Economic History of the Middle East). The book is based on a year of ethnographic fieldwork working as a “winding machine operator” in two large textile factories in Alexandria, Egypt. (Review in Le Monde diplomatique)
The American University in Cairo Press published a Middle East edition of Shop Floor Culture and Politics in Egypt in 2010, which also includes a new afterword analyzing the tsunami of labor and economic protests which began in Egypt in 2004.

Shehata is also the editor of a book entitled Islamist Politics in the Middle East: Movements and Change (Routledge, 2012), which addressed a number of central questions in the study of Islamist politics in the Middle East.
ARTICLES
articles, Peer-Reviewed Articles, & Book Chapters
2010 – 2019
- “Understanding Donald Trump’s Victory: Some Methodological and Semiotic Considerations“, Policy Analysis, Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, February 2017. [PDF]
- “Answering the Call: Popular Islamic Activism in Sadat’s Egypt“, (By Abdullah Al-Arian. Oxford University Press USA, New York, 2014. 320 pp). The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, Fall 2015. [PDF]
- “The Resurgence of Egypt’s ‘Deep State’?” in “The Crisis of the Arab State“, Study Group Report, Convened by Michael C. Hudson, Middle East Initiative Kuwait Visiting Scholar, (Harvard Kennedy School, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs), Spring 2015. [PDF]
- “Shop Floor Politics in Egypt,” in Everyday Life in the Muslim Middle East, eds., Evelyn Early and Donna Lee Bowen (3rd edition), (Bloomington: Indiana University Press), 2014.
- “Ethnography, Identity and the Production of Knowledge”, in Dvora Yanow and Peregrine Schwartz- Shea (eds.) Interpretation and Method: Empirical Research Methods and the Interpretive Turn (Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe), pp. 244-263, 2006 (second edition, forthcoming January 2013)
- “Egypt’s Muslim Brothers in Late Mubarak Egypt”, (with Joshua Stacher), in The Journey to Tahrir: Revolution, Protest and Social Change in Egypt, 1999-2011, edited by Jeannie Sowers and Chris Toensing, (London: Verso), May 2012.
- “Egypt: the Founders” in The Islamists Are Coming: Who They Really Are, edited by Robin Wright (Washington DC: The Woodrow Wilson Center Press), April 2012.
- “Review” of Islamist Politics in the Middle East: Movements and Change, (London & New York: Routledge), Journal of International and Global Studies Volume 6, Number 2, pp. 72-75, 2012. [PDF]
- “Introduction” in Islamist Politics in the Middle East: Movements and Change, edited volume, (London & New York: Routledge), pp. 1-20, 2012.
- “Political Da‘wa: Understanding the Muslim Brotherhood’s Participation in Semi-Authoritarian Elections”, in Islamist Politics in the Middle East: Movements and Change, (London & New York: Routledge), pp. 120-145, 2012.
2000 – 2009
- “After Mubarak, Mubarak?” Current History, Volume 107, Issue 713, pp. 418-424, December 2008. [PDF]
- “Inside an Egyptian Parliamentary Campaign”, in Political Participation in the Middle East, eds. Ellen Lust-Okar and Saloua Magrawi, pp. 95-120, (Boulder: Lynne Rienner), 2008. [PDF]
- “In the Basha’s House: The Organizational Culture of Egyptian Public-Sector Enterprise”, International Journal of Middle East Studies vol. 35, pp. 103-132, February 2003. (reprinted in Politics of the Modern Arab World: Critical Concepts in the Modern Politics of the Middle East, edited by Laleh Khalili, London: Routledge, 2008). [PDF]
- “Democracy: the Middle East”, Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World, ed., Peter N. Stearns, (Oxford: Oxford University Press), pp. 454-458, 2008.
- “Boxing in the Brothers” (with Joshua Stacher), MERIP Online, August 2007. [PDF]
- “Popular Media, Opinion Leaders and Islamophobia”, in Islamophobia and Anti-Americanism: Causes and Remedies, edited by Mohamed Nimer, (Beltsville, MD: Amana), pp. 75-87, 2007.
- “Egypt,” Encyclopedia of Politics and Religion (second edition), ed. Robert Wuthnow, (Washington DC: CQ Press), December 2006.
- “The Brotherhood Goes to Parliament”, (with Joshua Stacher), Middle East Report, Number 240, pp. 32- 39, Fall 2006 (Named one of the six works to read on Egyptian politics by Foreign Affairs). [PDF]
- “Egypt: The Gamal Mubarak Paradox”, Arab Reform Bulletin, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Volume 4, Issue 5, June 2006. [PDF]
- “Losing Hearts and Minds: Understanding America’s Failure in Iraq,” Georgetown Journal of International Affairs (Volume 6, Issue 1, Winter/Spring), pp. 71-79, 2005. [PDF]
- “Opposition Politics in Egypt: A Fleeting Moment of Opportunity?” Arab Reform Bulletin: June 2006, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Volume 2, Issue 9, October, 2004. [PDF]
- “Egypt after 9/11: Politics and Perceptions of the US”, (Social Science Research Council) 2003. [PDF]
- “Political Succession in Egypt”, Middle East Policy volume IX, Number 3, pp. 110-113, September 2002. [PDF]
1990 – 1999
- “The Politics of Laughter: Nasser, Sadat and Mubarek in Egyptian Political Joke”, Folklore vol. 103, no. 1, spring/summer, pp. 75-91, 1992. [PDF]
| MEDIA APPEARANCE |
TELEVISION
TV | 2010 – 2019
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Said Gulf Needs to Counter Iran – Al Jazeera (05.08.19)
Egypt Referendum Vote on Constitutional Changes – Al Jazeera (04.22.19)
Missing Saudi Journalist, Khashoggi Disappearance – BBC (10.16.18)
Missing Saudi Journalist, U.S. Adds Voice to Concern Over Khashoggi – Al Jazeera (09.10.18)
Qatar’s Emir Meets U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House – Al Jazeera (04.02.18)
Egyptians are Preparing to Elect a New President – Al Jazeera (03.25.18)
Kuwait Expected to Host Meeting of Gulf Regional Leaders on Tuesday – Al Jazeera (12.03.17)
The Arab League is Holding an Extraordinary Meeting in Cairo – Al Jazeera (11.19.17)
Khaled Ali Presidential Candidate – Al Jazeera (11.13.17)
Saudi Crown Prince Has Accused Iran of Committing ‘An Act of War’ – Al Jazeera (11.07.17)
Gulf Crisis; Bahrain Calls for Qatar GCC Freeze – Al Jazeera (10.29.17)
Gulf Crisis, Rex Tillerson is in Qatar After He Held Talks in Saudi Arabia – Al Jazeera (10.22.17)
Demands For Qatar, Align with Countries’ Policies – Al Jazeera (07.30.17)
Samer Shehata – CCTV (07.23.17)
Qatar’s Emir Makes First Televised Address Since Beginning of Crisis (1) – Al Jazeera (07.22.17)
Qatar’s Emir Makes First Televised Address Since Beginning of Crisis (2) – Al Jazeera (07.22.17)
Qatar’s Emir Makes First Televised Address Since Beginning of Crisis (3) – Al Jazeera (07.22.17)
Samer Shehata – CCTV (July.17)
Jan 25 Marks Six Year Anniversary of Egypt’s Arab Spring Revolution – Al Jazeera (01.25.17)
Egyptian Court Sentences Six People to Death Including Two Al Jazeera Journalists – Al Jazeera (July.16)

Samer Shehata – Al Jazeera (02.08.15)

Samer Shehata – Al Jazeera (05.27.14)
As Egypt Announces New Measure to Quell Protests, U.S. Considers Influence – PBS News Hour (07.31.13)
As Morsi Is Moved from Power, What Are Next Steps for Egypt and Its Military? – PBS News Hour (07.03.13) [Transcript]

‘Beginning of the end’ for military in Egypt’s politics – BBC (08.13.12)
Instability in Sinai Border Poses Diplomacy Questions for Egypt – PBS News Hour (08.08.12)
Egypt’s First Civilian President to Take Helm of Divided Country – PBS News Hour (06.25.12) [Transcript]
What do Mubarak Verdicts Mean for Egypt? – CNN Newsroom (06.02.12)
Egyptians in the U.S. – Al Jazeera “Min Washington” (06.01.12)
American (Neo)Liberalism and the Egyptian Economy – Al Jazeera “Min Washington” (01.24.12)
Why is Egypt’s Military Using Strong-Arm Tactics? – PBS News Hour (01.02.12) [Transcript]
Inside Story: Is Egypt’s Constitution Being Hijacked? – Al Jazeera English (11.18.11)
Comments on SCAF – Proposed Amendments to Constitution – Al Jazeera English (10.01.11)
Comments on Egypt’s Future “Washington Journal” – C-SPAN (07.03.11)
How Will Mubarak’s Trial Shape Egypt’s Transition – PBS News Hour (05.25.11)
What’s Next for the Egyptian Revolution – The REAL News (05.17.11)
Comments on Egyptian Economy – Al Jazeera English (05.12.11)
New Egyptian Stance Towards Israel, Hamas, and Iran – The REAL News (05.11.11)
Sectarian Conflict in Egypt – The REAL News (05.10.11)
Inside Story: Egypt – Israel Diplomacy – Al Jazeera English (04.28.11)
Comments on Mubarak Health Issues – Al Jazeera English (04.12.11)
In Egypt, ‘Vibrant’ Political Culture Budding After Voters Approve Reform – PBS News Hour (03.21.11) [Transcript]

Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood “Washington Journal” – C-SPAN (02.13.11)
Inside Story: New Dawn for Egypt – Al Jazeera English (02.12.11)
Comments on Future US – Egypt Relations After Ouster of Mubarak – BBC World News (02.11.11)
Post-Mubarak: What Will Egypt Look Like After the Regime Ends? – Democracy Now (02.11.11)
Will the Egyptian Military Stage a Coup to Oust Mubarak? – Democracy Now (02.11.11)
Comments on Developments of Events in Egypt – Al Jazeera English (02.11.11)
After ‘Vague’ Mubarak Speech, What’s Ahead for Him, VP? – PBS News Hour (02.10.11)
Comments on Mubarak’s Speech and Military’s Role in Crisis – Al Jazeera English (02.10.11)
Comments on Spread of Protests Across Egypt – BBC World News America (02.09.11)
Professor Says Egypt Protest Not Likely to Lead to Full Democracy – Georgetown University (02.08.11)
Empire: Democracy in the Arab World – Al Jazeera English (02.06.11)
Turmoil Grips Egypt as Mubarak Plots Next Move – PBS News Hour (02.03.11)
Comments on Mubarak’s Second Concession Speech – BBC (02.01.11)
Labor Union and the Egypt Uprising – GritTV (02.01.11)
Muslim Brotherhood Not Lead in Egypt – GritTV (02.01.11)
Made in the USA: Tear Gas, Helicopters, and Fighter Planes Used on Egypt Protesters – Democracy Now (01.31.11)
Repression & Poverty Underpin the Uprising in Egypt, Says Georgetown Professor Samer Shehata – Democracy Now (01.31.11)

Mubarak Mu Problems–an Interview with Samer Shehata – Colbert Report (01.31.11)
Comments on Mr. Baradei – Wolf Blitzer, CNN (01.30.11) [Transcript]
As Egypt’s Protests Spread, All Eyes on Army’s Allegiance, Next Moves – PBS News Hour (01.28.11)
Protests Continue in Tunisia – The REAL News (01.27.11) [Transcript]
WikiLeaks and Tunisia – The REAL News (01.26.11)
What Sparked the Tunisian Revolution? – The REAL News (01.18.11)
Comments on US Response to Tunisian Revolution – Al Jazeera English (01.18.11)
Comments on the Regional Consequences of the Tunisian Revolution – Al Jazeera English (01.15.11)
Women Seek Spots in Egyptian Parliament – Pittsburgh Tribune (12.07.10)
TV | 2000 – 2009
Comments on US Role in the Middle East Peace Process – Al Jazeera English (Sept.2010)
Comments on Hilary Clinton’s Speech on Iran – Al Jazeera English (Feb.2010)
Shop Floor Culture and Politics in Egypt: An Interview with Samer Shehata – Georgetown University (11.19.09)
American Dream – Foreign Students in the US – Press TV (04.06.09)
Comments on the Israeli Invasion of Gaza – Canadian Television (01.05.09)
Comments on Iraq – BBC (12.14.08)
Conflict in the Middle East – Georgetown University (05.08.08)
Comments on the Middle East Peace Process – Canadian Television (11.21.07)
Comments on Political Situation in Iraq – Canadian Television (11.27.06)
Comments on the Saddam Hussein Verdict – Canadian Television (11.05.06)
Lieberman Likely Candidate – Michael Moore Muzzled “American Morning” – CNN (05.06.04)
Comments on Jordan “Washington Journal” – C-SPAN (01.18.03)
Remarks before the Democratic Caucus – U.S. Capitol (05.09.02)
Alan Keyes is making nonsense – on Saudi Arabia “Alan Keyes is Making Sense” – MSNBC (04.25.02)
Videotapes Featuring Osama bin Laden, Hijacker Surface “American Morning with Paula Zahn” – CNN (04.16.02)
Arafat Remains Besieged in Ramallah “CNN Saturday” – CNN (04.06.02) [Transcript]
Jordan and King Abdullah – C-SPAN (01.18.02)
Hollywood May Play a Role in the War Effort “Greenfield at Large” – CNN (11.09.01)
Tracking the Terrorists: Bioterrorism — Is the U.S. Ready? “The Point with Greta Van Susteren” – CNN (10.09.01)