Sean Anderson

Sean Anderson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture at Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP). He is currently on leave, maintaining an active role in curatorial and scholarly work. Previously, he served as Associate Curator in the Department of Architecture and Design at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where he led influential exhibitions.

His research spans architecture, art history, and curatorial practice, with a focus on African diasporic design, postcolonial modernism, and the intersection of technology and art. His scholarly work includes books on colonial Eritrean architecture and South Asian ritual objects, and he has curated major exhibitions such as Reconstructions: Architecture and Blackness in America and Thinking Machines.

The breadth of his recent publications and exhibitions reflects a deep engagement with themes of displacement, identity, technology, and spatial justice. His work connects historical analysis with contemporary design discourse, often highlighting underrepresented voices in architecture.

Selected Awards:

• Rome Prize in Modern Italian Studies (2005)
• Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa Fellowship (2005–06)

Anderson has advised numerous students and emerging architects through academic and curatorial mentorship. His leadership in exhibitions like the Young Architects Program and co-founding the African Futures Institute demonstrates sustained engagement with architectural education and global design networks. He has received grants and fellowships supporting his research in Italy, Africa, and South Asia.

He is actively involved with the African Futures Institute (AFI) in Accra, Ghana, where he serves on the Board of Advisors. His international teaching in Afghanistan, India, Morocco, and the UAE underscores a commitment to global architectural dialogue.