Written by: Blake Etringer

Marzieh Tofighi Darian joined the University of Iowa College of Law this fall as a faculty fellow and a visiting assistant professor. Originally from Iran, she holds an SJD and an LLM from Harvard Law and previously served as a post-doctoral research associate at Princeton University. We asked Marzieh Tofighi Darian some questions to learn more about her background, scholarship, and what excites her about being part of the Iowa Law community.

Tell us a little about yourself; where you are from; and your journey to Iowa Law. 

I am originally from Tehran, Iran. I first came to the United States to study international law at NYU, but my trajectory changed when I enrolled in a clinic on constitutional transitions at the height of the Arab Spring. That experience drew me deeply into the field of constitutional law and design. From then on, I pursued every opportunity to study constitutionalism—comparative as well as U.S.-focused. I went on to earn my SJD at Harvard Law School, where my research continued to explore these questions. At Iowa Law, I am excited to share this passion with students, especially at a moment when constitutional ideas increasingly travel across borders and many countries are grappling with similar constitutional challenges.

Can you share a little about your scholarship and teaching background?

My scholarship centers on the role of constitutional courts in divided and polarized societies. I am especially interested in how high courts use legal reasoning and interpretation: do they alleviate political and social polarization, or do they reinforce it? I examine whether courts are more effective at mediating certain kinds of divisions—such as religious, ethnic, or ideological—and what institutional relationships with the political branches enable them to do so. Another dimension of my work looks at constitutional courts and councils in authoritarian settings, exploring how these institutions can turn into agents of autocratic consolidation.

In terms of teaching, I have guest-taught individual sessions on constitutional law in a variety of classes, and I am very much looking forward to offering a full course in Comparative Constitutional Law here at Iowa Law this coming spring.

What drew you to Iowa Law? 

Iowa Law struck me immediately as a collegial and welcoming community. I was also impressed by the strong interest among faculty and students in exploring new courses and perspectives. It felt like a place where I could both contribute to and grow within a supportive academic environment.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your work? 

Outside of my scholarship, I greatly enjoy reading literature – both fiction and non-fiction – that intersects with the themes of my academic work. I also love taking long walks, which give me space to think and recharge.

What are you most looking forward to this academic year?

I am most looking forward to connecting with students—both in and outside of the classroom—and to sharing with them the excitement and intellectual richness of studying constitutions in comparative perspective.