Nico Slate

Nico Slate is an Associate Professor of History at Carnegie Mellon University’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He joined the Department of History in 2009 and focuses on social movements in the United States and India, with an emphasis on race, democracy, and cultural intersections.

• Specializes in historical and contemporary political activism
• Research spans labor history, African American studies, and urban dynamics
• Active in campus initiatives like the Arts Greenhouse, which supports Pittsburgh youth through hip-hop technology programs
• Engages in lifelong learning, studying Indian languages (Malayalam, Hindi/Urdu) and playing musical instruments (classical guitar, Indian wooden flute)
• Philosophy emphasizes continuous growth and the joy of mastering new skills through amateurism

His work includes exploring the cultural and social dimensions of dietary practices, as seen in his 2020 book symposium on Gandhi’s Search for the Perfect Diet: Eating with the World in Mind. In 2019, he co-presented on race, writing, and democracy with Sharmila Sen. Slate’s dedication to teaching and community service reflects his belief in using education to improve society.