John Tirman Memorial Service | November 4, 2022

John Tirman, an MIT scholar in political theory and expert on US-Iran relations and human security, passed away on the morning of August 19 after suffering cardiac arrest. He was 72. Since 2004, Tirman served as the executive director of and principal research scientist at the MIT Center for International Studies (CIS). During this time, he was a prolific and thoughtful—but always modest—leader of many of the center’s initiatives.

Tributes from John’s friends and family are available here:

Program link:

Program details:
Welcome
• Richard Samuels, Director of the MIT Center for International Studies (CIS) and Ford International Professor of Political Science at MIT

Remembrances
• Ali Banuazizi, Research Professor of Political Science and Director of the Program in Islamic Civilization and Societies at Boston College
• Anat Biletzki, Albert Schweitzer Professor of Philosophy at Quinnipiac University and Co-Director of the Human Rights and Technology Program at CIS

Keynote
• Hussein Banai, Associate Professor of International Studies at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University-Bloomington and CIS Research Affiliate

Remembrances
• Elizabeth Wood, Professor of History at MIT and Co-Director of the MIT-Eurasia Program
• Kurt Fendt, Senior Lecturer at MIT Comparative Media Studies/Writing and Director of MIT’s Active Archives

Closing remarks
• Richard Samuels, Director of the MIT Center for International Studies (CIS) and Ford International Professor of Political Science at MIT