Negotiating Self and Modernity: The Many Journeys of Ahmad Zaki Abu Shadi

Conference: NYU Abu Dhabi, May 22-23, 2023 – more info

Aḥmad Zakī Abū Shādī embodied many of the seemingly contradictory facets of modern Arab intellectual traditions of the early 20th century. As a poet, publisher, and scientist, at home as much in England and the United States as he was as his native Egypt, his work crossed many geographical and intellectual borders. The acquisition of his personal archive by the NYU Abu Dhabi Library presents a wonderful opportunity to re-examine his life, work, and cultural and historical context, which this interdisciplinary gathering of scholars undertakes.

Convened by

• Brad Bauer, Head of Archives and Special Collections and Academic Librarian, NYUAD
• Muhamed Al-Khalil, Associate Professor of Practice of Arabic Language, NYUAD
• Joy Amina Garnett, Artist and Writer, granddaughter of Abu Shadi and former steward of the archive

Speakers

• Muhammad al–Khalil, Associate Professor of Arabic Language, NYUAD
• Brad Bauer, Head of Archives and Special Collections and Associate Academic Librarian, NYU Abu Dhabi
• Robert Brodschneider, Researcher, Institute of Biology, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, current editor of Bee World
• Raphael Cormack, Assistant Professor of Arabic, Durham University
• Clare Davies, Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
• Joy Amina Garnett, Artist and Writer, Art Director, Evergreen Review
• Anthony Gorman, Senior Lecturer in Modern Middle Eastern History at the University of Edinburgh. 
• May Hawas, Lecturer in World Literature, and Valerie Eliot Fellow in English at Newnham College, Cambridge, UK
• Mostafa Heddaya, PhD candidate at Princeton in the Department of Art and Archaeology
• Robin Ostle, Emeritus Research Fellow and Lecturer in Oriental Studies, St. John’s College, Oxford University
• Deborah Starr, Professor of Modern Arabic and Hebrew Literature and Film, Cornell University