Biography
Professor Saeed is an active researcher, focusing on one of the most important issues in Islamic thought: the negotiation of text and context, ijtihad and interpretation. He is a strong advocate of reform of Islamic thought and is frequently asked to present at events both nationally and internationally. He also participates in training courses on Islamic issues to community leaders and government agencies in Australia and abroad. Of particular interest, given the current climate, is the promotion of inter-religious initiatives. He regularly engages with the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities at national and international symposia to enhance community understandings of Islam, Islamic thought and Muslim societies. He has authored and edited numerous works. His recent publications include The Qur'an: an introduction, Routledge 2008, Islamic Thought: an introduction, Routledge, 2006; Interpreting the Qur’an: Towards a Contemporary Approach, Routledge, 2006; Approaches to the Qur’an in Contemporary Indonesia (editor), Oxford University Press, 2005; Freedom of Religion, Apostasy and Islam (co-author), Ashgate, 2004.; Islam in Australia, Allen & Unwin, 2003. In addition to his strong research focus, Professor Saeed continues to teach Islamic studies at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and supervise postgraduate students.
Professor Saeed is the Foundation Chair of the Sultan of Oman Endowed Chair in Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Melbourne. He is Director of the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne and Director of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies (in conjunction with Griffith University and the University of Western Sydney).
Further information is available at: www.abdullahsaeed.org
Research Expertise and International Linkages
Research Expertise
International Linkages
Qualifications, Honours, Fellowships and Other
Awards
Qualifications
| Title |
Institution |
Date Awarded |
Abbreviation |
| Bachelor of Arts |
Islamic University of Medina |
|
|
| Master of Arts |
University of Melbourne |
31-Dec-1994 |
|
| Doctor of Philosophy |
University of Melbourne |
31-Dec-1992 |
|
Memberships
| Membership Type |
Membership Body |
Description |
Start Date |
End Date |
| Member |
Association for Asian Studies |
Member, Association for Asian Studies |
01-Apr-2007 |
30-Apr-2008 |
| Member |
American Academy of Religion |
Member, American Academy of Religion |
01-Jan-1999 |
31-Dec-2007 |
| Member |
Asian Studies Association of Australia |
Member, Asian Studies Association of Australia |
01-Oct-2006 |
31-Dec-2007 |
Other Awards
| Award Type |
Awarding Body |
Comments |
Date Awarded |
| Other (Award) |
Sultanate of Oman |
Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies |
01-Jan-2003 |
Government Research Classifications
Research Fields, Courses and Discipline Classifications
Socio-Economic Objective Classifications
Grants and Contracts
Research Grants, Contracts and Consultancies awarded to the University of Melbourne as the administering institution (since 2003) as recorded in Themis Agreements.
Grants
| Title |
Role |
Funding Source |
Scheme |
Award Date |
| Reconfiguration of Islam by Muslims in Australia |
Chief Investigator |
AUST RESEARCH COUNCIL |
Discovery Projects |
01/01/2004 |
| CSCI POSTGRADUATE COLLOQUIUM: MUSLIMS, SECULARISM AND THE SECULAR STATE |
Chief Investigator |
ARC ASIA PACIFIC FUTURES RESEARCH NETWORK |
Research Networks (AUST RESEARCH COUNCIL) |
01/07/2007 |
| EDUCATION ON ISLAM |
Chief Investigator |
THE MYER FOUNDATION |
Beyond Australia |
17/09/2008 |
| Citizenship and belonging among Muslims in Australia and the United Kingdom |
Chief Investigator |
AUST RESEARCH COUNCIL |
Discovery Projects |
01/01/2009 |
| RELIGION, FINANCE AND ETHICS: ISLAMIC AND CONVENTIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON SHARED PRINCIPLES,PRACTICES, AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSTRUMENTS |
Chief Investigator |
MONASH UNIVERSITY |
Linkage Projects (AUST RESEARCH COUNCIL) |
|
Contracts
| Title |
Role |
Funding Source |
Award Date |
| BIBLIOGRAPHY |
Chief Investigator |
|
09/10/2002 |
Publications
Publications produced at the University of Melbourne and reported in the Annual Publications Collection and 'Research Report' since 2001. The Themis Publications module, released in November 2006, allows additional publications from previous institutions and publications from past years to be entered.
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