A historian of the Iranian world in late antiquity, ca. 200–800 CE, Payne's research focuses primarily on the dynamics of Iranian imperialism, specifically how the Iranian (or Sasanian) Empire successfully integrated socially, culturally, and geographically disparate populations from Arabia to Afghanistan into enduring political networks and institutions. Also Professor Payne is deeply committeed to exploring the entanglements of the regions with East Asia, especially within and via Inner Asian contexts.
Professor Arik has 25 years experience in language pedagogy for Modern Turkish Language and Literature. He has designed courses and teaching materials for intensive Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced Turkish language, as well as Modern Turkish literature. He also has interest in the historical development of the Turkish language and its various dialects, and is a member of the American Association of Teachers of Turkish and Turkic Languages.