Reza Khanzadeh

Reza Khanzadeh

Reza Khanzadeh

Islam, Politics, Global Affairs, Foreign Relations, Middle Eastern Studies, Social Movements, Modern Iran History

Dr. Khanzadeh joined George Mason's faculty in 2025 after thirteen years in civil society, human rights, and international business. A few notable achievements from his many accomplishments include:

 

  • Contributed towards efforts in successfully releasing political prisoners from Iran in 2013.
  • Provided research and analysis during the 2015 Iran nuclear negotiations.
  • Advised international companies on conducting business with their Iranian counterparts after the 2016 implementation of the Iran nuclear deal or JCPOA.
  • Guided and assisted over 2,000 individuals affected by the 2017 Muslim travel ban.

As a Middle East expert, Dr. Khanzadeh has been sought after for consulting, research, publications, and translations. He is also a regular contributor to international news networks on related current events pertaining to the wider Middle East and US foreign policy.

Dr. Khanzadeh's forthcoming book, Generation Denied: The Broken Promise of Education in Iran, is due to be released in the Fall 2026 semester through University of Texas Press.

Selected Publications

BOOK

Khanzadeh, R. (2026). Generation Denied: The Broken Promise of Education in Iran. University Texas Press.

HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTS

Human Rights Council. (2013). Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Countries/IR/A-HRC-22-56_en.pdf

Center for Human Rights in Iran. (2013). The Cost of Faith: Persecution of Christian Protestants and Converts in Iran. https://www.iranhumanrights.org/wp-content/uploads/Christians_report_Final_for-web.pdf

ARTICLES (editor-reviewed)

Khanzadeh, R., Maleki, A., & Yazdi, N. (2021). An Untold Story about Fighting COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran. Mehr News Agency. https://en.mehrnews.com/news/173642/An-untold-story-about-fighting-COVID-19-pandemic-in-Iran

Khanzadeh, R., Maleki, A., & Yazdi, N. (2021). Rebuilding from the Bottom Up. Mehr News Agency. https://en.mehrnews.com/news/170646/Rebuilding-from-the-bottom-up

Khanzadeh, R. (2013). Job Market Woes. Southasia. https://www.southasia.com.pk/Backup/Images/archives/2013/sa-oct13.pdf

Khanzadeh, R. (2013). A Future Uncertain. Southasia. https://southasia.com.pk/Backup/Images/archives/2013/sa-feb2013.pdf

Khanzadeh, R. (2012). Neutralizing a Threat. Southasia. https://southasia.com.pk/Backup/Images/archives/2012/sa-december-2012.pdf

Khanzadeh, R. (2012). Ulterior Motives. Southasia. https://www.southasia.com.pk/Backup/Images/archives/2012/sa-april-2012.pdf

Khanzadeh, R. (2011). Colors of Turmoil. Southasia. https://www.southasia.com.pk/Backup/Images/archives/2011/sa-nov-2011.pdf

Courses Taught

  • GLOA 101: Introduction to Global Affairs (Fall 2025, CHSS)
  • GOVT 733: Islam and Politics (Spring 2026, Schar)

Education

University of Oxford

  • Oxford, England
  • Ph.D. in Education
  • 2017-2022
  • Concentration: Youth struggles versus the State

New York University

  • New York, NY
  • M.A. in International Relations
  • 2010-2012
  • Concentration: US Foreign Policy towards the Middle East

University of Virginia

  • Charlottesville, VA
  • M.A. in Islamic Studies
  • 2008-2010
  • Concentration: Shia Islam

West Virginia University

  • Morgantown, WV
  • B.A. in Religious Studies
  • 2000-2005
  • Concentration: Comparative Religions

In the Media

Podcast Interviews

TRT World News

WION News

NDTV News

The Medialine

Politics 365

Al Jazeera News

Indus News