Brett Clark

Brett Clark is Professor of Sociology at the University of Utah, where he has established himself as a leading scholar in environmental sociology and political economy. His research program focuses on the political economy of global environmental change and the philosophy, history, and sociology of science, with particular emphasis on Marxist ecological theory and the metabolic rift framework.

Clark's educational background includes a PhD in Sociology from the University of Oregon, an MA in Sociology from Colorado State University, and a BS in Sociology from Black Hills State University. His academic career progressed from Assistant Professor at North Carolina State University (2008-2012) to his current position as Professor at the University of Utah (2019-present), having previously served as Associate Professor (2014-2019) and Assistant Professor (2012-2014) at Utah.

Clark's research centers on developing and applying the metabolic rift theory to analyze how capitalism creates fundamental ruptures in the relationship between human societies and the natural world. His work spans environmental sociology, political economy, Marxist theory, and the history of scientific thought, examining how capitalist production transforms ecological systems and creates environmental inequalities. He is particularly known for his collaborations with John Bellamy Foster on books including The Robbery of Nature and The Ecological Rift.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on the connections between militarism and environmental degradation, the application of Lefebvrian spatial theory to ecological crisis, and the theoretical development of metabolic rift analysis. Clark's work consistently bridges theoretical innovation with empirical analysis of contemporary environmental challenges, particularly the relationship between military spending, economic growth, and carbon emissions.

• 2025: Honorable Mention for the Environmental Sociology Outstanding Publication Award
• 2024: Lifetime Achievement Award, Marxist Sociology Section
• 2024: Distinguished Contribution (Lifetime) Award, Environmental Sociology Section
• 2024: Honorable Mention for the PEWS Distinguished Professional Article Award
• 2023: University of Utah Distinguished Research Award
• 2020: Outstanding Marxist Sociology Article Award
• 2020: Excellence in Mentoring Award
• 2017: Paul Sweezy Marxist Sociology Book Award

Professor Clark has been an active mentor to graduate students, supervising dissertation research in environmental sociology, political economy, and social theory. His teaching portfolio includes courses such as Classical Social Theory, Environmental Sociology, Foundations: Environmental Humanities, and Global Sustainability. He has received multiple awards for his mentoring and teaching excellence, reflecting his commitment to student development.

Clark collaborates extensively with scholars across institutions, particularly those working in the tradition of ecological Marxism, contributing to a global network of researchers examining the social dimensions of environmental crisis. His work has significantly shaped contemporary environmental sociology through theoretical innovation and empirical analysis of the relationship between capitalism and ecological breakdown.