Trinity College Names New South Asian Studies Chair

Professor Shafqat Hussain receives the endowed chair position to expand his academic research and student opportunities.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a worn leather-bound journal, reflecting the scholarly nature of an academic appointment. — Trinity College has appointed Professor Shafqat Hussain to the George and Martha Kellner Chair of South Asian Studies to support his ongoing academic research. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Trinity College has appointed Professor Shafqat Hussain to the George and Martha Kellner Chair of South Asian Studies. The position grants the professor increased access to research funding and expanded opportunities for student engagement.

Why it matters

The appointment provides Professor Hussain with the necessary resources to further his academic ambitions while fostering deeper student participation in South Asian scholarship at the college.

Between six and 10 students have contributed to the ongoing research project by assisting with translation, transcription, and data gathering. The appointment of Professor Hussain grants him dedicated funding for his future research and community initiatives.

The players

Shafqat Hussain

He is a professor at Trinity College who has been named the George and Martha Kellner Chair of South Asian Studies.

Trinity College

This is the Hartford-based educational institution that manages the Kellner Chair endowment.

The details

Professor Hussain is currently authoring a book titled The Shangri-La Diaries, which examines visitor experiences in the Hunza Valley of Pakistan during the 1980s and 1990s. The project was inspired by historical hostel guest registers discovered in the region that contained detailed written reflections from international travelers.

The book covers traveler experiences from the 1980s and 1990s.
The appointment was officially recognized on October 27, 2026.

Market Landscape

This appointment follows the established pattern of the George and Martha Kellner Chair endowment in providing specific resources to academic staff. It strengthens the institutional commitment to specialized regional research by integrating faculty ambition with student-driven labor.

Students at the college can expect expanded access to academic events and social programming facilitated by Professor Hussain. The appointment effectively creates new pathways for undergraduate participation in international archival research and fieldwork.

The takeaway

Faculty-led research projects often serve as vital training grounds for students, offering hands-on experience in specialized fields like archival transcription. This appointment highlights how endowed positions translate into tangible support for both academic output and student mentorship.