Born in the United Kingdom on April 5, 1971, to Muslim parents of Indian, Iranian, and Egyptian descent, Kazim Ali is an award-winning poet, prominent essayist, fiction writer, translator, and editor. Ali has lived in Canada, India, France, and the Middle East. He is currently based in the United States and is a Professor of Literature and Writing at the University of California, San Diego. He received a B.A. and an M.A. in English from the SUNY at Albany and an MFA from New York University. After working full-time as an organizer for greater access to public higher education, Ali taught at various colleges and universities, including the English Department of Monroe Community College, the Liberal Arts Department of The Culinary Institute of America, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Oberlin College, Davidson College, St. Mary’s College of California, and Naropa University, before moving to the University of California, San Diego.