Robert Eisen grew up in Toronto, Canada, and is Professor of Religion and Judaic Studies at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The focus of his most recent research is approaches to peace and violence in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. His other areas of interest include comparative religion, Jewish philosophy, and Jewish biblical interpretation.

Eisen is the author of six books that reflect his varied interests, including: Judaism and Violence: A Historical Analysis with Insights from Social Psychology (Cambridge University Press, 2021); Religious Zionism, Jewish Law, and the Morality of War (Oxford University Press, 2017); The Peace and Violence of Judaism: From the Bible to Modern Zionism (Oxford University Press, 2011); The Book of Job in Medieval Jewish Philosophy (Oxford University Press, 2004); and Gersonides on Providence, Covenant, and the Chosen People (State University of New York Press, 1995). He also co-edited Philosophers and the Jewish Bible (University of Maryland Press, 2008) with Charles Manekin.

Eisen has received grants and awards to support his research, including a Fulbright research grant at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and was awarded the Bender Teaching Award from George Washington University in 2005. Eisen has also lectured and taught widely within and beyond the Jewish community.

When he is not being an academic, Eisen is a musician-singer-songwriter who writes and plays music in a variety of styles, mostly folk-rock, pop, and country. In 2021, he released an album on Spotify and YouTube entitled Happy Songs, Sad Songs, and Some Songs in Between.

Eisen lives in the Washington, DC area with his wife and family.