Dler Awsman is a second-year Sociology MA student at UTK, hailing from northern Iraq and specializing in political economy and globalization. Before arriving in Knoxville, Dler spent two years in Italy, where he earned an International Baccalaureate (IB) from the United World College of Adriatic in 2019. He then moved to the United States and completed a BA in International Political Economy from the College of Idaho in 2023. At the age of 25, Dler has lived on three continents and speaks three languages fluently.

His research interests include Middle Eastern geopolitical and religious dynamics, the political economy of post-2003 Iraq, and social conflicts and minority social movements, particularly those involving Kurds and Yazidis in contemporary Iraqi society. His master’s thesis, titled “Dialectics of Democracy and Violence: Political Economy of Exploitation, Control, and Freedom in Post-2003 Iraq,” explores the development of Iraq’s new political system, economic infrastructures, and socio-economic classes following the 2003 regime change. In addition to his thesis, Dler is conducting a second research project, “Yazidis in Iraq: Collective Grievances and Social Movement,” which examines how the Yazidi minority organized in response to post-2003 Iraqi politics and the genocidal campaign by ISIL in 2014.

Dler enjoys teaching Introduction to Sociology and Social Problems and Social Justice courses, where he has the opportunity to engage with “fresh-minded” and “vibrant” undergraduate students in exploring complex social phenomena.

Outside of his academic interests, Dler is a fan of 60s to 80s American and English music, particularly The Beatles and Queen, and he is also an avid Shawn Mendes fan and a self-proclaimed ‘Swiftie.’ A ‘coffee aficionado,’ Dler can often be found at Old City Java, a favorite local coffee spot he fondly refers to as OCJ. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, particularly in defensive roles, as well as hiking, and various other outdoor activities.

Main Interests: International Political Economy, Modern Middle Eastern Geopolitics and Religious Dynamics, Post-2003 Iraq’s Political Economy, Minority Social Movements in Modern Middle East