Mehran Ghandi

Mehran Ghandi completed his BA with high distinction from the University of Tehran, Iran, where he pursued Persian Language and Literature, learning about the Persian literary tradition(s) from the pre-modern era to the contemporary period. The programme focused on mastering the historical and literary use of the Persian language from the 12th century onwards, giving him a solid foundation for reading and analysing literary texts across periods. Alongside this training, Mehran studied literary theory to broaden his analytical approaches to Persian texts. He also completed a minor in English Literature, engaging with the Western canon and debates about how that canon is constructed and taught. Beyond the university, Mehran gained experience through an internship at the Academy of Persian Language and Literature (APLL), teaching Persian literature to secondary-school students, representing the student body at University of Tehran and at VUB, organising activities and reading groups, editing an issue of the student journal (University of Tehran) on the Persianate world, working in translation, and writing short cultural pieces for wider audiences.

At VUB, where he is studying the Multilingual Masters in Literary Studies and Linguistics, Mehran seeks to expand his understanding of Literary Studies as an interdisciplinary field. His main areas of interest include Persian literary history, reception studies - both within the Persian field and between Persian and English - and canonisation, particularly through anthologies and literary magazines.

Mehran joins the MERLIT-VUB team as a Talent for Research MA student.