Jonathan Jae-an Crisman

Jonathan Jae-an Crisman is an Associate Professor affiliated with multiple interdisciplinary programs at the University of Arizona, including the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Arid Lands Resource Sciences, Social, Cultural & Critical Theory, LGBTQ+ Institute, School of Architecture, School of Art, School of Geography & Development, and School of Landscape Architecture & Planning. His work bridges art, urban studies, and critical theory, focusing on intersections of culture, politics, and urban space.

Dr. Crisman holds a PhD in Urban Planning from USC, dual Master’s degrees in Architecture and City Planning from MIT, and a BA from UCLA. He previously directed UCLA’s Urban Humanities Initiative and collaborated with USC’s Spatial Analysis Lab on humanizing cartography. His research explores art’s role in gentrification resistance, migrant death in Borderlands, and queer spatial practices in cities like Seoul.

Key research areas include forensic practices around migrant deaths, queer urban geographies, and creative placemaking strategies. His book Urban Humanities: New Practices for Reimagining the City (MIT Press, 2020) redefines interdisciplinary urban studies. Current projects investigate extreme heat mitigation through interactive games and community-driven urban innovation.

Teaching includes speculative urban futures courses and community-centered design. His work has been exhibited globally, including the West Bund Biennial and Reykjavík Arts Festival. Collaborations with Maite Zubiaurre explore borderland forensic practices and spatial justice.