We are excited to welcome Hadi Umayra (TIS Alumnus, Class of 2018) as the speaker for our upcoming TIS Career Talks session.
Talk Title: Translating Across Worlds: Literary Practice, Professional Pathways, and Intellectual Growth
🗓 Thursday, April 16, 2026
⏰ 3:30–4:30 p.m. CST
Register Now!
Hadi is currently a Ph.D. candidate in English at Old Dominion University, where he specializes in Rhetoric, Writing & Discourse Studies and Technology & Media Studies. Hadi holds master’s degrees in Literature, Political Science, and Translation & Interpreting Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A U.S. Army veteran and former linguist and cultural advisor, he is the author and translator of several books, including Mind’s Gravity: Pandemic Has No Smell (2021). His work connects literary translation with interdisciplinary research and creative theory.
In this talk, Hadi will share his journey from graduate studies to professional practice in literary translation and academia. Drawing on his interdisciplinary background, he will discuss how translation can open pathways across languages, cultures, and intellectual fields. Students will also gain insight into career possibilities related to translation, research, and creative work.
The talk will conclude with practical advice for students and an open Q&A session.
All interested in translation, literature, research, and international careers are warmly encouraged to attend.