Joel Wanek

Joel Wanek is a Lecturer in the Department of Geography at the University of California, Berkeley, where he integrates film, sound, and geospatial practices into his teaching and creative non-fiction work. His research interests span Critical Environments, Geospatial Representation, Racial Geographies, and the interplay of spatial poetics with sound and image.

• Education: M.F.A. in Experimental and Documentary Arts from Duke University (2011–2013), B.A. in Photography from Webster University (1992–1996).
• Teaching: Courses include Sonic Geographies (GEOG 126), Geographic Film Production (GEOG 127), and Visual Geography (GEOG 189).

Wanek’s creative practice merges experimental/documentary film, field recording, and spatial inquiry. His work interrogates urban soundscapes, racial dynamics, and the immaterial possibilities of media. Key projects include the long-form audio documentary series Here Is Where We Meet (2019–2023), focused on Lake Merritt’s ecological and social layers, and Reveil 8 (2021), a live dawn chorus broadcast.

Scientific and Artistic Recognition

• 2023: Collegium Grant and UC-AFT Local 1474 Grant at UC Berkeley
• 2018: Individual Artist Grant from the City of Oakland
• 2014: Multiple festival awards for Sun Song, including Best Cinematography at the Ann Arbor Film Festival
• 2013: Vtape Award for Best Video at Images Festival

His films have screened globally at venues such as the International Film Festival Rotterdam, ICA London, and the Ann Arbor Film Festival. Wanek’s professional background includes video journalism for Emmy Award-winning series and collaborations with institutions like the ACLU and NY Times.