Gary Fields

Dr. Gary Fields is a Professor of Communication at the University of California San Diego, affiliated with the Division of Social Sciences. He holds a PhD in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley. His research integrates historical geography, photography, and political analysis to examine territorial conflicts, particularly focusing on Palestinian landscapes and their historical parallels with English enclosures and Anglo-American colonial frontiers. Fields critiques how dominant groups use state power to restructure property rights and landscapes to maintain ascendancy.

Fields' work emphasizes theoretical frameworks linking power dynamics with territorial transformation. He combines empirical studies with visual documentation, as seen in his photography exhibitions and publications. His notable book Enclosure: Palestinian Landscapes in a Historical Mirror (2017) draws comparisons between Palestinian dispossession and historical land enclosures, arguing that such practices reflect enduring territorial strategies.

His publications span journals like Journal of Palestine Studies and Historical Geography, addressing topics such as carceral geographies in Gaza, capitalist territorial projects (e.g., Dell Computer), and the role of imagery in conflict representation. Fields frequently contributes op-eds on Middle Eastern politics to outlets like the San Diego Union Tribune.

Fields' photography, showcased in venues like the La Jolla Art Association, complements his academic work, documenting Palestinian everyday life and landscapes under occupation. His research and activism aim to bridge scholarly analysis with critical engagement in global conflicts.