Dr. Mahnaz Shayestehfar is the Managing Director of the Institute of Islamic Art Studies. She holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Art from the University of Birmingham, UK, is an Associate Professor at Tarbiat Modares University, and is the Director of Islamic Culture, and Art Studies. She has been as director of the Department of Islamic Art at Tarbiat Modares University and has supervised more than 30 master's theses. Dr. Shayestehfar has been the managing director and editor-in-chief of two science-research quarterly journals on Islamic art studies since 2004. She has published more than 200 articles in domestic and foreign journals and has participated in dozens of domestic and foreign conferences. Membership on the editorial board of 4 scientific-research journals, editor and managing director of two journals, scientific secretary of the Quranic Art Conference, managing director of the Center for Islamic Art Research, drawing, translating and writing 16 books can be mentioned in his research record. Also, during the last two decades, about 20 projects in the field of management, Iranian-Islamic art and culture and handicrafts, culture, and civilization of Iran and the Islamic world have been completed.
Dr. Fataneh Mahmoudi is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Art and Architecture at the University of Mazandaran. She holds a Ph.D. in Art Research from Tarbiat Modares University. Her expertise includes research in Iranian visual arts, art semiotics, comparative studies of Islamic and Iranian art, and analysis of Shiite themes in miniature paintings from the Ilkhanid, Timurid, and Safavid periods. She has held multiple administrative roles, including Educational Vice Dean and head of educational departments at the University of Mazandaran, and has published over 40 scientific-research articles in reputable domestic and international journals. Dr. Mahmoudi has also conducted extensive research in the fields of handicrafts, traditional motifs, and indigenous arts.
Khashayar Ghazizadeh is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Art, Shahed University, specializing in Islamic art. He holds a Ph.D. in Art Research from Tarbiat Modares University and has extensive experience in teaching theoretical and practical courses in painting, miniature art, illustration, and graphic design at various academic levels. Ghazizadeh has also held significant administrative roles at Shahed University, including serving as the Vice Chancellor for Education and the Dean of the Faculty of Art. His research interests include Islamic art in Iran, miniature art, and theoretical discussions on art. He has authored numerous publications and articles in both domestic and international journals and has participated in various art exhibitions and festivals. Ghazizadeh has received several awards, including the Fajr Excellence Medal and the title of Exemplary Researcher.
Dr. Mostafa Rostami is an Associate Professor in the Department of Handicrafts and Art Research at the University of Mazandaran. He holds a Ph.D. in Art Research from Shahed University. His research interests include traditional arts, handicrafts, restoration of historical artifacts, manuscripts, and folk culture studies. He has presented over 50 papers at international and national conferences, authored books such as Persian Bookbinding and Choonashi in Mazandaran, and executed numerous research projects in the field of cultural heritage and traditional arts. Dr. Rostami has been recognized as a distinguished researcher at both university and provincial levels and is a permanent member of several academic associations, including the Iranian Carpet Society and the Iranian Archaeology Association.
Dr. Mehran Houshiar is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Art, Soureh University, specializing in Islamic arts, handicrafts, and miniature painting. Holding a Ph.D. in Art Research from Shahed University, Tehran, he has held key executive roles such as Head of Advanced Art Studies, Secretary of national and international conferences (e.g., Iran Ceramics Biennial and Farabi Festival), and membership in expert committees at the Iranian Academy of Arts and the Ministry of Culture. With over 20 authored books and numerous academic articles on traditional arts, art futurism, and critique of handicrafts, he was recognized as a top researcher at Soureh University. Additionally, he serves as a judge and critic for prestigious art festivals and academic journals, contributing significantly to the development of Islamic art education and research.
Dr. Ashkan Rahmani is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, specializing in traditional arts with a focus on carpets, kilims, and ancient textile patterns. He holds a Ph.D. from Marmara University, Turkey, and has been a faculty member at Shiraz University since 2015. With outstanding academic, research, and artistic achievements—including top ranks in national exams and prestigious scholarships—he has published over 60 scientific articles in domestic and international journals and actively participated in numerous national and international conferences. Additionally, he has contributed to executive roles such as managing research and education in handicrafts, founding knowledge-based companies, and serving as a judge for renowned art festivals.
Dr. Majid Reza Moghanipour is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art at the Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, specializing in art research with a focus on handwoven carpets, mythology, and traditional arts. He holds a Ph.D. in Art Research from Shahed University, Tehran, and has held executive roles such as Head of the Art Department at Shiraz University and board membership in the Iranian Scientific Carpet Association. With numerous publications in reputable domestic and international journals, active participation in research conferences, and leadership in projects spanning carpet style analysis, ethnography of indigenous arts, and mythological narratives, he was recognized as the top researcher in Yazd Province. Additionally, he serves as a reviewer for academic journals and art festivals and contributes to curriculum development and art entrepreneurship initiatives.
Dr. Somayeh Baseri is an Associate Professor in the Textile Design Department at the Faculty of Art, Semnan University, specializing in textile engineering with a focus on sustainable dyeing, natural fibers, and green technologies in textiles. Holding a Ph.D. from Isfahan University of Technology, she has achieved top academic ranks, including elite membership in the National Elites Foundation, and published over 20 ISI articles in renowned international journals. Her research emphasizes eco-friendly dyeing methods, antibacterial textiles, and agricultural waste valorization in textile production. Recognized as an outstanding educator and researcher at Semnan University, she has contributed to national standards and supervised applied theses in textile innovation.
Dr. Alireza Mahdizadeh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Painting at the University of Bahonar in Kerman. He holds a Ph.D. in Art Research from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran. His expertise includes photography, art research, art criticism, and the study of Persian miniature painting, particularly from the Ilkhanid, Timurid, and Safavid periods. He is the author of books such as "The Falnameh of Tahmasbi, A Masterpiece of Safavid Miniature Painting" and dozens of academic articles on the semiotics of photography, analysis of Shiite miniatures, and documentary photography. Dr. Mahdizadeh has been recognized as a distinguished researcher and educator and has served as a jury member for over 30 art festivals.
Adel T. Adamova received her Ph.D. from the Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture (The Academy of Fine Arts) in Saint Petersburg, Russia. She is currently curator of Persian Art in the Oriental Department of the State Hermitage Museum. She is the author of three monographs and more than thirty articles, mainly on Persian painting
