Timur Kuran

Timur Kuran is the Gorter Family Distinguished Professor of Islamic Studies at Duke University, affiliated with the Department of Economics. He serves as the Co-Director of Graduate Studies for the MAPE program in the Department of Economics. His research focuses on social change, including the evolution of preferences and institutions, and the economic and political history of the Middle East. Kuran is also a Professor of Political Science at Duke University. His work includes studies on the role of traditional institutions in the Middle East's political performance and publications such as Private Truths, Public Lies and The Long Divergence. He has held academic positions at the University of Southern California, the Institute for Advanced Study, and the University of Chicago.

Timur Kuran is a Professor of Economics and Political Science and Gorter Family Professor of Islamic Studies at Duke University. His research focuses on growth, development, Islam, the Middle East, and economic history. Kuran explores the social and political consequences of preference falsification, the historical mechanisms of institutional stagnation in the Middle East, and the economic implications of Islamic law. His work examines the interplay between cultural norms, institutional structures, and economic performance, with a particular emphasis on the role of Islamic law in shaping economic development and underdevelopment. Kuran's publications often address the impact of historical and cultural factors on contemporary economic and political systems.