Timothy Mitchell is a political theorist and scholar specializing in the political economy of the Middle East, the role of expert knowledge in governance, and the intersections of colonialism and modernity. Educated at Queens' College, Cambridge, and Princeton University, where he earned his Ph.D., Mitchell has authored influential works such as "Colonising Egypt," which examines the formation of the modern state during colonialism and has been translated into multiple languages. His research spans diverse disciplines, including anthropology, history, and cultural studies, establishing him as a leading voice in postcolonial theory and critical political economy.
Mitchell's scholarship often explores the construction of economic systems and the political implications of technical expertise. His 2002 book, "Rule of Experts: Egypt, Techno-Politics, Modernity," investigates how economic knowledge shapes governance, property relations, and state power. He has directed interdisciplinary projects, such as "The Authority of Knowledge in a Global Age," examining the influence of social science on global policy. His ongoing research, "Carbon Democracy," bridges science and technology studies with postcolonial theory, analyzing the historical impact of fossil fuels on democratic institutions. Mitchell has held editorial roles for prominent academic journals and lectured worldwide, contributing to debates on modernity, development, and energy politics.