Author
Multi-award-winning books and articles – with the world's top publishers and the most
popular magazines.
Broadcaster
More than 150 TV and radio appearances on over 60 stations worldwide – and an in-house broadcaster for the BBC.
Curator
Pioneering exhibitions at prime locations – attracting thousands of visitors and making
monumental discoveries.
About
Islam Issa is a multi-award-winning author, broadcaster and curator. He has been described as "one of the UK's most significant new thinkers" (BBC) and as "an Egyptian icon" (CBC).
The only British-Egyptian historian and
presenter, his work has focused on the cultural history of the Middle East and the role of Shakespeare around the world.
A professor of Literature and History at Birmingham City University, in 2025 he was announced as the UK's first Professor of Public Humanities.
With an international repertoire
of publications, exhibitions, TV and radio programmes, and speaking tours – he is bringing pioneering approaches and fresh narratives to the fields of history, literature and cultural studies.
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
WINNER
OF THE RUNCIMAN AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE LONDON HELLENIC PRIZE
FINALIST FOR THE BERNARD LEWIS PRIZE
TIMES
BOOK OF THE YEAR
SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR
TLS BOOK OF THE YEAR
BOOKLIST BOOK OF THE YEAR
EPOCH TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR
WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR
ATHENS VOICE BOOK OF THE YEAR
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Monumental and vividly imagined" (Daily Telegraph)
"Wonderfully entertaining" (Sunday Times)
"Written with vim and vigour" (Times)
"Elegant and poignant" (Times Literary Supplement)
"Lively and engrossing" (Literary Review)
"Outstanding ... fantastic" (Foreword)
"Delightful and invigorating" (Middle East Monitor)
"Detailed and enthralling" (Witness)
"Fascinating ... amazing" (Gleaner)
"Breathtaking" (World Literature Review)
"Spellbinding" (Athens Insider)
"Unforgettable" (Waterstones)
"Genius" (Women's Weekly)
"A literary triumph" (Epoch Times)
"A mesmerising journey" (Al Jazeera)
Alexandria @ Gloucester History Festival
A talk on Alexandria by Islam Issa at this unique history festival in a stunning thirteenth-century setting. There will be a book-signing after the event.
Blackfriars Priory, Gloucester
Sep 21
10. a.m.
10. a.m.
Online Course: History of Alexandria
In this three-session virtual course, you can discover the rich history of Alexandria with Islam Issa, renowned expert on the ancient city. Explore how Alexandria shaped philosophy, science, and religion, from its founding by Alexander the Great to its Great Library, and the lasting influence of its landmarks today. Running weekly.
92NY, New York, online via Zoom
June 10
1. p.m.
1. p.m.
Panelist @ Renaissance Society of America
At the 71st Annual Meeting of the Renaissance Society of America, this roundtable brings together public intellectuals with extensive experience beyond academia to talk about the opportunities, challenges, and stakes of writing, speaking, and programming for the public.
Marriott Copley Place, Boston
Mar 22
2. p.m.
2. p.m.
Natalie Haynes Stands up for the Classics (double bill)
Islam Issa joins 'Rockstar mythologist' Natalie Haynes for an evening of comedy and the classics: a double-bill recording all about Alexandria and its Great Library for the next season of BBC Radio 4's long-running and hilariously informative Natalie Haynes Stands up for the Classics.
BBC Radio Theatre, London
Mar 5
7. p.m.
7. p.m.
Alexandria goes to Greece
Islam Issa takes his bestselling book on Alexandria
to Greece, where it will be celebrated for winning the prestigious Runciman Award. As well as the keynote Anglo-Hellenic League Lecture entitled The Alexandrian Dream, the event will also introduce the new Greek translation of Alexandria.
British School at Athens, Athens
Dec 9
7. p.m.
7. p.m.
Waterstones Christmas Evening
Waterstones presents its annual Christmas Evening. Filled with festivities, including mince pies, Christmas related activities, and the chance to meet some of your favourite authors and get a signed copy of the new paperback edition of Islam Issa's Alexandria – the perfect Christmas present.
Waterstones, Birmingham
Dec 3
5. p.m.
5. p.m.
Echoes of the Silk Road
In this expert panel, Islam Issa, Bettany Hughes and Colin Thubron explore the legendary cities of Alexandria, Istanbul and Samarkand. An event related to the British Library exhibition, A Silk Road Oasis: Life in Ancient Dunhuang.
British Library, London
Nov 7
7. p.m.
7. p.m.
ASMEA Prize Panel
As a finalist for the ASMEA's Bernard Lewis Prize for a work elucidating the history of anti-Semitism, Islam Issa presents groundbreaking findings on ancient Alexandria from his bestselling book.
Marriott Georgetown, Washington DC
Nov 3
9. a.m.
9. a.m.
UNAM Centennial Lecture
Islam Issa will deliver the keynote lecture at a colloquium celebrating the 100th anniversary of the School of Philosophy and Literature at the National
Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the Spanish-speaking world's leading university. It will take place at UNAM’s flagship
campus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built 70 years ago.
UNAM, Mexico City
Aug 23
6. p.m.
6. p.m.
