Dr Aziz Esmail
Aziz Esmail is the former Dean of The Institute of Ismaili Studies, London (1988-98) and, since 1998, has served as one of its Governors. Originally trained in philosophy, literature and religion, Dr Esmail has held lecturing and research positions at various American universities as well as the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He has been associated with The Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago as well as Harvard Universitys Center for the Study of World Religions and Graduate School of Education. Dr Esmail has been a consultant to, among other institutions, the Humanities division of the Rockefeller Foundation. In addition to articles in journals, his writings include The Poetics of Religious Experience (I. B. Tauris in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 1996) and a A Scent of Sandalwood (I. B. Tauris in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2002).
In addition to his responsibilities as a Governor, Dr Esmail contributes to the Institute in an executive capacity, chiefly in the formulation of the intellectual strategies which inform, in turn, the work of its various departments.