About
Rob Shields is a Professor in the Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences and Sociology at the University of Alberta, holding the Henry Marshall Tory Endowed Research Chair in Sociology. His work bridges urban geography, cultural studies, and social theory, with a focus on geopolitics, climate change, and Indigenous spatial practices. He has authored/co-edited books such as Spatial Questions and The Virtual, and founded Space and Culture journal. His research explores urban social spaces, settler colonialism, and infrastructure impacts on Indigenous lands.
Education: DPhil (Doctor of Philosophy) from the University of Sussex, with early work in passive solar design at Carleton University. Previously served as Director of the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies at Carleton University.
Research Interests: Urban/suburban spatialization, cultural topology, climate change communication, decolonial theory, and the socio-spatial dimensions of infrastructure. Current projects include studies on nanotechnology governance and Arctic cryosphere dynamics.
Awards: Tory Research Chair, Commonwealth Scholar, and recognized for award-winning scholarly contributions.
Teaching: Courses on urban sociology, climate change, and Indigenous geographies. Supervises studies on technology and infrastructure in settler colonial contexts.
