Hosna Sheikholeslami

HOSNA SHEIKHOLESLAMI, Denison University, Granville, Ohio, was awarded a Hunt Postdoctoral Fellowship to aid research and writing on “Translating Imaginaries: The Infrastructure and Politics of Publishing Western Theory in Iran.” During the fellowship period, work was completed on the following chapters. The Introduction establishes the significance of translating human sciences in Iran and outlines the book’s primary analytical approach. It discusses the historical context and importance of translated books in understanding the migration of ideas and introduces the theoretical approach of translation through the lens of infrastructure. Chapter 1 delves into the historical background and prevalence of human sciences translation in Iran, especially from the 1979 Revolution onwards, highlighting the intertwined relationship between state policy, intellectual currents, and materiality. Chapter 2 explores the unreliability of books in Iran and how readers navigate this issue by relying on translators and publishers. The hypervisibility of translators is examined, which ironically contributes to the oversaturation and continued unreliability of the book market. Chapter 3 delves into the intricate relationship between translators and texts, analyzing their selection criteria and translation ideologies. It also investigates how translators shape Iranian intellectual life and promote distinct social imaginaries. Revisions for Chapters 4 and 5 are still pending, with the intention to submit the completed manuscript to an academic press by summer 2024. Finally, an article derived from revisions made to Chapter 3 of the manuscript was successfully completed and has been submitted to the journal Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East for initial review