Nari Senanayake

Nari Senanayake is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Kentucky's College of Arts & Sciences. Affiliated with multiple interdisciplinary programs including Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Health, Society and Populations, Social Theory, Applied Environmental and Sustainability Studies, and Global Asias, their work bridges health-environment geography and political ecology.

Their research explores agrarian livelihoods through feminist geographical perspectives, with regional expertise in South Asia. Key themes include environmental health uncertainties, socio-nature relationships, and toxic exposure impacts—particularly regarding kidney disease epidemics in Sri Lanka's dry zone.

Publications demonstrate strong methodological innovation, blending spatial analysis with sensory ethnography and digital methods. Recent work (2020-2024) critically examines bodily experiences of toxicity, liminal health states, and knowledge co-production through podcasts.