Christo Sims

Christo Sims is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at UC San Diego, with affiliations in Science Studies, Ethnic Studies, Urban Studies, and the Design Lab. His research examines how technological change intersects with social inequality, ecological limits, and urban development, particularly in Silicon Valley. He earned his PhD from UC Berkeley in 2012 and has held visiting positions including at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.

• Education: PhD in Sociology, UC Berkeley (2012); BA, Bowdoin College (Phi Beta Kappa)

His work bridges anthropology, sociology, and communication studies, focusing on how knowledge economies exacerbate environmental and social disparities. Recent projects analyze Silicon Valley’s urban politics and green architecture designs.

Awards:

• ASA CITAMS Best Book Award (2018) for Disruptive Fixation

Teaching emphasizes critical design, moral economies, and environmental ethics. He co-founded the Studio for Ethnographic Design and participates in the UC Collaboratory for Ethnographic Design.