Dr David Bennett is the Teaching and Learning Co-ordinator on STEP at the Department of Graduate Studies. In his role, David performs key academic, co-ordination and oversight duties in order to ensure the quality, stability and enhancement of STEP teaching provision on the MA Muslim Societies and Civilisations (validated with SOAS). He also supports students in achieving the highest standards of learning and professional development, providing subject-specialist information, as well as general advice and pastoral care. David contributes to the delivery and assessments on STEP MA modules, and co-ordinates the MA Research module on STEP.

David obtained his PhD in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures from University of California in 2011. He specialises in early Islamic theology and Arabic philosophy, and has published extensively on concepts, dreams, and the philosophy of nature. Prior to joining the Institute, he worked in a researcher capacity in the Department of Philosophy, Linguistics, and Theory of Science at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden), working on the Arabic Aristotelian tradition. He has extensive experience in the management of undergraduate modules, as well as organising and managing various conferences and academic workshops. David also served as a lecturer at the Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, as well as on STEP at The Institute of Ismaili Studies.