Alex Finkelstein

Alex Finkelstein is a Lecturer in History at Western Colorado University, affiliated with the Behavioral & Social Sciences Department under the Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability. His interdisciplinary work bridges history, environmental studies, legal studies, and social sciences.

• PhD in History (University of Oklahoma, 2022)
• MA in History (University of Oklahoma, 2018)
• BA in History (University of Southern California, 2016)

His research focuses on the carceral state in the United States, examining how punishment practices have shaped societal structures. He integrates environmental, legal, and sociopolitical perspectives to analyze Colorado’s carceral history as a lens for understanding broader American systems of control. His co-edited volume Reconsidering Regions in an Era of New Nationalism (2023) reflects his regional analysis expertise.

Alex teaches HIST 126: U.S. History to 1865 and ENVS 100: Introduction to Environment and Sustainability, emphasizing critical engagement with historical narratives and systemic analysis. His publications explore topics such as energy infrastructure in cinema, Progressive Era reform, and contested commemorations.