Kanishka Goonewardena

Kanishka Goonewardena is a Professor in the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto. He is based at Sidney Smith Hall, St. George campus, and has been a faculty member since 1999. His work bridges geography, critical theory, and urban planning, with a focus on Marxist thought and anti-colonial theory.

Education:

• PhD, Cornell University, 1998
• MPl, University of Southern California, 1991
• BSc, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 1988

His research centers on Marxist philosophy, critical theory, urban studies, and the intersections of space, ideology, and power. He explores nationalism, imperialism, and colonialism within capitalist contradictions, drawing from thinkers like Henri Lefebvre, Walter Benjamin, and Frantz Fanon. His teaching includes courses such as GGR363 Critical Geographies, GGR460 Global Cities, and JPG2150 Production of Space, emphasizing radical politics and spatial critique.

His publications reveal a consistent engagement with Marxist theory, urban spatiality, and postcolonial critique. Key themes include the historical geography of imperialism, leftist movements in Sri Lanka, and the philosophical underpinnings of urban life. He has contributed to journals like Antipode and Geografiska Annaler, and co-edited the influential volume Space, Difference, Everyday Life.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed in the provided text.

He advises intellectually curious students interested in radical politics and critical urban theory. He is currently serving as Director of Planning for 2024–2025. His research continues to explore Marxist thought, the politics of planning, and the legacy of anti-colonial movements.

Labs and Research Groups:

• No specific labs or research teams are mentioned in the text.