Safaneh Mohaghegh Neyshabouri

Dr. Safaneh Mohaghegh Neyshabouri

PhD
Pronouns: She/They

Positions

Assistant Professor (Teaching)

Faculty of Arts, Department of Philosophy

Instructor, Arabic Language and Muslim Cultures

Faculty of Arts, School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures

Contact information

For media enquiries, contact

mediarequests@ucalgary.ca

Background

Educational Background

PhD Comparative Literature, University of Alberta,

MA English Language and Literature, Islamic Azad University of Tehran,

BA (Hons) English Language and Literature, Shahid Beheshti (Melli) University,

Biography

I am currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor, teaching core courses in Gender and Sexuality Studies, Gender and Sexuality in Islam, Contemporary Literature of Muslim Societies, and Women's Literature of the Global South. My research focuses on Feminist Epistemology, Epistemic Injustice, and Everyday Forms of Resistance. I approach teaching through "empathy activism," aiming to foster inclusive and diverse learning environments. My courses often cover sensitive topics, encouraging students to engage with different perspectives and create safe spaces for discussion. I have been recognized with multiple teaching excellence awards, including the University of Calgary inaugural Award for Inclusive Excellence. My work has been featured on CBC national radio.

My publications include multiple peer-reviewed articles, book reviews, creative writing and essays in English and Persian.

Selected Works (additional publications listed on Google Scholar):

  • "The Rise of Generative AI: Capabilities and Potential for Higher Education." In S. Sabbaghan (Ed.), Navigating Generative AI in Higher Education: Ethical, Theoretical and Practical Perspectives. Edward Elgar. Forthcoming (2025).
  • "Crowdfunding Canadian Theatre: An Exploratory Analysis of Kickstarter Data with US Comparison." Artivate: A Journal of Entrepreneurship in the Arts, 9 (1), Spring 2020.
  • "The Development and Formation of the Artistic Female Self in the Poetry of Forough Farrokhzad." In Familiar and Foreign: Identity in Iranian Film and Literature. AU Press, 2015.

I actively participate in knowledge engagement, appearing on TV, radio, and podcasts, as well as giving guest lectures and public talks. My emerging interests include the ethics and politics of social media, and the impact of generative AI in higher education.

Research

Participation in university strategic initiatives

Courses

Course number Course title Semester
ALMC 360 Topics in Muslim Literatures
GSXS 201 Talking Gender and Sexuality
GSXS 303 Islam and Feminism
GSXS 401 Sexuality and Desire in Islam
LLAC 614/LANG 451 Topics in Transcultural Studies/Topics in Cross-Cultural Exploration, Women’s Literature of the Global South

Awards

  • Teaching Excellence Awards (Nominee, '24-'25), University of Calgary Students’ Union. 2024
  • Inaugural Teaching Award in Inclusive Excellence, University of Calgary . 2023
  • Teaching Excellence Award ('23-'24), University of Calgary Students’ Union. 2023
  • Mitacs Global Research Internship ('23-'24), Mitacs. 2023
  • Transdisciplinary Scholarship Connector Grant for “Understanding the Generative AI Disruption”, 2023

Publications

  • The Rise of Generative AI: Capabilities and Potential for Higher Education. Navigating Generative AI in Higher Education: Ethical, Theoretical and Practical Perspectives. Edward Elgar. (2025)

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