Rudi Matthee, John and Dorothy Munroe Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Delaware, specializes in Middle Eastern history, specifically on Iran and the Arab world. This summer he presented his research both nationally and internationally, strengthening the visibility of UD’s Department of History and College of Arts and Sciences.  

Engaging with educators and global history

Matthee presented research to educators through the Summer Teacher Institute 2025: “Teaching the Three Muslim Empires in the First Global Era.” The event was held at Georgetown University on June 24, 2025, and focused on expanding teachers’ knowledge of Safavid, Ottoman and Mughal empires during the first global era. Matthee delivered a lecture titled “Safavid Iran: Connections with the World,” highlighting Iran’s political, economic and cultural interactions with neighboring empires and Europe. His presentation provided practical insights for educators on integrating global historical perspectives into their classrooms and supported the mission of the institute to improve K-12 teaching on early modern Islamic empires.

Presenting research at an international conference

In August, Matthee received his scholarship internationally. From Aug. 12–15, he attended the 10th biennial conference of the Association of Persianate Studies in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. At the conference, he chaired a panel and presented a book talk on his 2023 publication, Angels Tapping at the Wine Shop’s Door: A History of Alcohol in the Islamic World. His session explored cultural, religious and social histories of alcohol consumption in the Islamic world and engaged a global audience of scholars in discussions about historical attitudes and regulations. The conference provided an important platform to disseminate Matthee’s research, strengthen international collaborations and highlight the global relevance of historical scholarship.

Impact and departmental significance

Matthee’s summer activities demonstrate the University of Delaware’s commitment to advancing historical research and global engagement. His research provides new insights into early modern Islamic societies, enriching student learning and supporting interdisciplinary teaching approaches. Without such engagement, opportunities for international scholarly collaboration and broader public understanding of Persianate history would be limited, underscoring the importance of faculty contributions in achieving departmental strategic goals.