Dr. Peter Magee spent more than 30 years directing heritage research in the UAE and across the Middle East prior to becoming Director of Zayed National Museum. This appointment followed 20 years serving as Professor, then Chair, of Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology at Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia, as well as academic positions in Belgium and Australia.

He has published more than 70 scientific papers and books on the history and archaeology of the Arabian Gulf and is a Fellow of The Society of Antiquaries in the United Kingdom. He also serves as the current Chair of the International Association for the Study of Arabia.