Bhabha Receives English Tenure

Homi K. Bhabha, a renowned professor of English, art history and South Asian studies at the University of Chicago, will join the English department next year as a tenured professor.

He will begin teaching in the fall of 2001.

Bhabha is one of the world's leading figures in postcolonial studies, according to Marquand Professor of English Lawrence Buell, the chair of the English department.

"Our colleagues across the University will come to recognize that this is an appointment of University-wide importance," Buell said.

Bhabha's broad repertoire will allow him to enhance many areas of the

English department, Buell said.

"[Bhabha's appointment] will enable us to strengthen our teaching of

literature in English in a global context," Buell said.

Bhabha will also bolster the department's offerings in 20th century

literature and literary theory, according to Buell.

Since the publication of his book Location of Culture, which established

his reputation as a leader in postcolonial studies and literary theory,

Bhabha has been one of the most sought after figures on the academic lecture circuit, according to the Chronical of Higher Education.

In 1997, Newsweek magazine recognized him as one of the 100 "Americans for the Next Century."

Bhabha's wife, Jacqueline, who currently serves as the director of the human rights program and the associate director at the center for international studies at the

University of Chicago, will also join the Harvard faculty.

A prominent human rights scholar, she will serve as the executive director of the University human rights committee and will also teach at the Law School and the Kennedy School.

Luring Homi and Jacqueline Bhabha from the University of Chicago was difficult and took nearly two years, according to Buell.

"Both Homi and Jacqueline Bhabha had senior positions at the University of

Chicago, which very much valued them. It's never easy to move in mid-life," Buell said. "We had to show that we had a more attractive situation."

Although Bhabha said the decision to come to Harvard was "extremely difficult," the decision was made easier with the matriculation of his son, Ishan K. Bhabha '04 .

"I look forward to the special pleasure of turning a corner and bumping into [Ishan]," Bhabha said.

Bhabha also expressed eagerness to play a part in what he called Harvard's educational and cultural mission.

"The 21st century is a time of unprecedented global and transnational

connections, and Harvard provides an excellent location from which to participate in that process," Bhabha said.

Bhabha also cited his many friends in the Afro-American and English departments, as well as the many "lively and questioning students" as reasons for his decision.

"The attraction of Harvard lies in the depth and breadth of potential conversations and discussions with students and colleagues alike," he

said.

Many on the faculty have expressed excitement over Bhabha's arrival in Cambridge next year.

"I have had many students come to me about his work, and now they can talk to him," said K. Anthony Appiah, Carswell professor of Afro-American studies and of philosophy.

"Not only am I personally but also the whole department is delighted that both Homi Bhabha and Jacqueline Bhabha will be joining us," Buell said.