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About Simran Jeet Singh

Simran Jeet Singh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion at Trinity University. He is the Senior Religion Fellow for the Sikh Coalition and is responsible for educating the broader American public about the Sikh faith and traditions. Simran is also a Truman National Security Fellow and a Handa Fellow for Interreligious Communication.

Simran’s academic expertise focuses on the formations of religious communities and literatures in early modern South Asia. His graduate training focused on the history of religions in South Asia, and he has taught courses at Columbia University and Trinity University on Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and Sikh traditions. Simran’s recent scholarship and public engagement examines xenophobia, racial profiling and hate violence in post 9/11 America.

Simran is a prolific writer who has contributed over 50 opinion pieces to news outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian. He has become a consistent expert for reporters and news outlets across the world, and he speaks regularly on civil rights, religion, hate violence, diversity, and inclusion. His thought leadership also extends to the White House and Pentagon, where he has given keynote addresses on behalf of the Sikh community.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Simran is a diehard Spurs fan and avid marathon runner. He currently lives between San Antonio and Manhattan, New York -- where his wife, Dr. Gunisha Kaur, teaches and works as an anesthesiologist at Cornell Medical College.

Simran is fluent in multiple languages, and he holds a PhD from Columbia University, a graduate degree from Harvard University, and an undergraduate degree from Trinity University.

Positions

Present Assistant Professor, Religion, Trinity University Department of Religion
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Honors and Awards

  • Truman National Security Fellow for Truman National Security Project (2014-2015)
  • Rachel F. and Scott McDermott Fellowship for American Institute of Indian Studies (2013-2014)
  • Recipient of Columbia University Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching (2013)
  • Finalist for Columbia University Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching (2012)
  • University of California at Santa Cruz Sarabjit Singh Aurora Scholarship – Conference Travel Grant (2011, 2013)
  • Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences – Conference Travel Award (2011)
  • Columbia University Graduate Student Advisory Council – Conference Travel Grant (2011)
  • Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowship – (2009-2010)
  • Amrit Kaur Ahluwalia Outstanding Paper Prize (2008)
  • Harvard Divinity School Grant (2006-2008)
  • Trinity University Presidential Award for Excellence (2006)
  • Dean’s List (2002, 2004-2006)
  • Trinity University President’s Scholarship (2002-2006)
  • National Society of Collegiate Scholars (2002-2006)

Courses

  • Introduction to the Qur’an
  • Islamic Worlds

Education

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2015 PhD, Columbia University ‐ Department of Religion
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2012 MPhil, Columbia University ‐ Department of Religion
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2009 MA, Columbia University ‐ Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies
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2008 MTS, Harvard University ‐ Harvard Divinity School
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2006 BA, Trinity University
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Selected Media Pieces (15)