Renowned Historian Deborah Lipstadt to Return to Emory University as University Distinguished Professor

Emory University has announced that renowned historian Deborah Lipstadt will return to the institution later this academic year as a University Distinguished Professor. Lipstadt, who is currently serving as the U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, has a long and distinguished career at Emory, having served on the faculty for nearly 30 years before her confirmation as special envoy.

Lipstadt is one of the world’s foremost experts on the Holocaust and modern antisemitism. She gained international recognition when she successfully defended herself in a British court against a lawsuit by a Holocaust denier. Her return to Emory is highly anticipated, as she will bring her extensive experience and knowledge back to the classroom.

As University Distinguished Professor, Lipstadt will hold a prestigious title that has been bestowed on only a few individuals, including former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, author Salman Rushdie, and poet Kevin Young. In this role, she will give an annual public lecture, engage directly with undergraduates, and serve as an adviser to Emory’s president and the dean of Emory College.

Lipstadt will also retain her appointment as Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish and Holocaust Studies in the Department of Religion within Emory College of Arts and Sciences. Her latest book, “Antisemitism: Here and Now,” examines the resurgence of antisemitism across Europe and the U.S.

Emory President Gregory L. Fenves and Emory College Dean Barbara Krauthamer have expressed their enthusiasm for Lipstadt’s return, highlighting her significant contributions to scholarship, education, and the combat against hate.