About Zhaleh Nayeb

Contributor, Persian, Turkic, and Biblical Studies

Dr. Zhaleh Nayebossadrian is a researcher and digital archivist with a strong academic background, specializing in the history of Iran. She earned her PhD in Philology and Ancient World History from Sapienza University of Rome in 2021, with a focus on Zoroastrian funeral rituals. Her research included analysing texts in Pahlavi and Persian, as well as studying the practices of the Parsi community in India and Zoroastrians in Iran.


Zhaleh’s academic journey began with a Master’s degree in Ancient History, during which she explored the concept of demonology in pre-Islamic Iranian religions. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, giving her a unique interdisciplinary perspective. After completing her PhD, she further enhanced her skills by taking specific digital humanities courses at Harvard University.

Currently, she works as a Digital Archivist for the ILEMED project at Sapienza University’s Department of Oriental Studies. In this role, she curates and Digitizes Persian and Arabic materials, providing open-access resources and exploring the interactions between Islamists and leftists in the MENA region since the 1960s. Her work promotes access to rare primary sources and fosters a deeper understanding of these cultural dynamics. Besides, she is a member of ISMEO (The International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies).