Joel Wainwright

Joel Wainwright is a Professor of Geography at The Ohio State University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. His work focuses on political economy, environmental change, and social theory. He holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Minnesota (2003) and has held academic positions including Visiting Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia/Simon Fraser University (2015-2016) and Associate/Assistant Professor roles at Ohio State since 2006. Wainwright’s research explores colonial legacies, climate politics, and critical geography, with notable works like Climate Leviathan (2018) and Geopiracy (2012). He has received prestigious awards including the Sussex Prize (2019) and the James Blaut Award (2010). His teaching spans courses on global climate change, development studies, and environmental conservation.

Education: PhD (2003), MA (1998) in Geography from the University of Minnesota, BA (Honors) in Environmental Studies from Bucknell University (1995).

Research interests include political ecology, critical theory, and the intersections of capitalism and environmental crises. He has advised over 20 PhD students and contributed to numerous peer-reviewed journals, edited volumes, and policy reports. Wainwright is actively involved in academic service, including editorial roles for Antipode and Dialogues in Human Geography, and serves on Ohio State’s Faculty Senate.