Malcolm Hooper Kerr (October 8, 1931 – January 18, 1984) was a university professor specializing in the Middle East and the Arab world.

He commenced his doctorate work in Washington, D.C., at the School for Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, where he received his Ph.D. in 1958.

Following the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Kerr sensed a drastic change for the worse in the tone of Arab politics, which became harsh and bitter.

In 1970–1971, he accepted an academic grant to France and North Africa and worked on a third edition of The Arab Cold War.

Appointed president in March, effective July 1, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and occupation of Beirut made him work first from the New York office.

“If you're looking for terrorists, look in your own army for those who’ve destroyed Beirut.” [8] On 18 January 1984, in the midst of the Lebanese Civil War, Kerr was shot and killed by two gunmen.

[19] The lawsuit and the surrounding tragedy of his death are discussed in his daughter's memior, One Family's Response to Terrorism by Susan Kerr van de Ven.