Ali Akbar Mahdi is an emeritus professor of sociology from Ohio Wesleyan University, now teaching at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). He earned his B.A. in Sociology from the National University of Iran and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. His expertise includes Iranian society, Middle Eastern politics, Islam and Islamic culture, gender, race, and development. He has served as an editor and board member for several sociological and Middle Eastern studies journals. His career reflects a strong focus on sociology, international relations, and human rights.