Harry Bastermajian is the Executive Director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Islamic Studies Program at Harvard University. Dr. Bastermajian earned his PhD in Islamic History and Civilization from the University of Chicago, as well as an AM in Islamic History and an AM in Middle Eastern Studies. He took his undergraduate degree, cum laude, in Economics and International Relations from Lake Forest College. His dissertation examined Armenian identity formation in nineteenth century Istanbul. His research interests include the role of the press in late modern Islamic empires, religious and ethnic minorities in the Muslim world, and inter-communal relations in the late Ottoman Empire. Prior to joining the Prince Alwaleed Islamic Studies Program, Dr. Bastermajian coordinated the Andrew W. Mellon Islamic Studies Initiative at the University of Chicago and was the graduate programs administrator at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard.