John Foran

John Foran is a distinguished Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), affiliated with the College of Letters and Science. He is a scholar-activist deeply engaged with global climate justice movements, focusing on radical social change, climate justice activism, and systemic alternatives to capitalism. His work bridges academia and activism through participatory research and teaching.

Education: PhD from UC Berkeley. Specializes in revolutions, global justice movements, Middle East studies, and Latin American studies. His research explores the intersection of social theory, political sociology, and environmental crises.

Research & Activism: Co-founder of UCSB’s Environmental and Climate Justice Hub and the UC-CSU NXTerra Digital Platform. Active in Transition US, the Central Coast Climate Justice Network, and System Change Not Climate Change. His books include Taking Power (award-winning analysis of Third World revolutions) and Fragile Resistance (Iranian revolutionary history).

Teaching: Courses include Earth in Crisis, Eco Vista, and climate justice advocacy programs. Emphasizes participatory learning, critical thinking, and real-world application. Syllabi available on NXTerra.

Awards & Recognition: Recognized for innovative teaching methods and contributions to climate justice scholarship. His work prioritizes free, accessible knowledge dissemination for global audiences.

Labs & Initiatives: Leads projects like the Orfalea Center’s Climate Justice Hub and collaborates on teaching resources for climate action. Engages in global climate justice advocacy through publications, conferences, and grassroots organizing.