Jamshid Behnam

Jamshid Behnam (1928 – 9 November 2021) was an Iranian sociologist, writer, and translator. He is known for his work in the development of sociology and modernization in 20th century–Iran. He was a published author of books on Demographics, Sociology of Iran, Family Structure, and Modernity.

As a sociologist, throughout his career, Behnam collaborated in the work of international sociological and scientific associations. He was a member, holding senior executive positions in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), working with the International Social Science Council.

Personal background Jamshid Behnam was born in 1928 in Tehran, Imperial State of Iran. In 1958, he received his Ph.D. degree in sociology from the Sorbonne (Université René Descartes, Paris-V), where he worked under the supervision of Georges Balandier.

Professional background Behnam was the founding President and Chancellor of the Farabi Institute of Higher Education affiliated with the International University of Iran and licensed under the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.

In 1957, Behnam, along with Gholam Hossein Sadiqi, Ehsan Naraghi, Shapour Rasekh formed the first group of French-trained Iranian sociologists. In 1958, they established the Institute for Social Studies and Research (ISSR), initially located at the summer palace of Fat′h-Ali Shah, the King of Qajar dynasty. Attached to the faculty of Social Sciences of Tehran University, the institute was the first research center in Iran.

From 1959 to 1974, Behnam served as the Professor of Demography and Vice President of Tehran University. He was the founder and first head of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Tehran University. He has also worked as the Deputy Secretary General of the World Council of Social Sciences in Paris, and Professor of Sociology at the Paris Descartes University.

Published works

Behnam, Jamshid. Tahavolat-e khanevadeh, 2004. (Farsi Edition)

(Persian/Farsi Edition)

Behnam, Jamshid. Contemporary Discourse on Modernity in Iran. Behnam, Jamshid. Nation-State, Identity and Modernity. Behnam, Jamshid. Iranian Society: Modernity and Globalization. Behnam, Jamshid. Iranians and Modernism, Tehran: Farzan. Rouz Press, 1996. Behnam, Jamshid. Family Events. Behnam, Jamshid. Introduction to Sociology. Behnam, Jamshid. Bahre Bardiry-e Keshevarzi dar Deh-haye Iran (Agricultural Production in Iranian villages) co-authored with Shapour Rasekh, 1963 Behnam, Jamshid. An Introduction to Urban Sociology of Iran, 1969 Behnam, Jamshid. Nazari be Ezdevaj dar Iran (A view of Marriage in Iran), 1960