Christopher Thornton is an accomplished educator, writer, and media professional with extensive international experience in academia, journalism, and communications. Holding an MFA in Theater/Playwriting from Brandeis University and a BA in English/Creative Writing from the University of Iowa, he has taught at prestigious institutions across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

With over three decades of teaching experience, Christopher has designed and led courses in academic writing, literature, drama, screenwriting, and media studies at institutions such as MIT, Emerson College, Zayed University, and Jagiellonian University. His commitment to innovative pedagogy earned him the Zayed University Innovation Award for creativity in teaching.

Beyond academia, Christopher is a prolific writer, contributing essays and features to esteemed publications like The American Scholar, Montreal Review, Commonweal, Galway Review, and Sewanee Review. His books, Descendants of Cyrus: Travels Through Everyday Iran and Iran in Pictures: A Photographic Insight, showcase his expertise in cultural analysis and storytelling. His essay "Letter from Lviv" was nominated for the Pushcart Prize.

In addition to his literary accomplishments, Christopher has worked as a media consultant and writer for organizations such as the U.S. State Department and various corporate entities, crafting compelling content for international audiences. His diverse career reflects a passion for cross-cultural engagement, critical inquiry, and the power of storytelling.

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AWARDS

 

Zayed University: received the Innovation Award for creativity in teaching, September 2017.

 

Pushcart Prize nomination, “Letter form Lviv,” published by the Concho River Review, fall/winter 2022.