Nik Janos
Professor
Nik Janos is a Professor of Sociology at California State University, Chico. He earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz in 2012. Dr. Janos pursues interdisciplinary research, which integrates geography, environmental studies, sociology, and history to understand the complex interplay between urbanization and ecological crises. His scholarly work delves into the impacts of urbanization, governance practices, and technological advancements on environmental issues. He past research includes extensive research in post-Katrina New Orleans and on Superfund clean-up efforts along the Duwamish River in Seattle, WA. Additionally, he co-edited the book Urban Cascadia and the Pursuit of Environmental Justice (2021), which examines the profound transformations driven by capitalist urbanization in the Cascadia region and highlights the efforts of various stakeholders to foster a more equitable and democratic society. Currently, he is writing a book that explores the future of hydroelectric power in the US Northwest, offering a critical perspective on debates over low-carbon energy sources. Since the introduction of generative AI he has spend considerable time speaking and writing about the impacts of AI on higher education. His work is characterized by a commitment to environmental justice and democratic decision-making.
Publications:
Markus Fischer and Nik Janos, “Hydropower Revolutions: A Comparative Analysis of Hydropower Development and Its Societal Impact in Norway and the Northwest United States (1945-1990), with Implications for Contemporary Energy Transitions,” Technische Universität Berlin, 2024, https://doi.org/10.14279/depositonce-21464.
Justus, Zach and Nik Janos (2024), “Your AI Policy is Already Obsolete” Inside Higher Ed
Justus, Zach and Nik Janos. (2024) “Assessment of Student Learning Is Broken.” Inside Higher Ed.
Janos, Nik and Corina McKendry. (October 2021). Urban Cascadia and the Pursuit of Environmental Justice. University of Washington Press. Buy book.
Janos, Nik. (2021). “The Making of Urban Cascadia: Extending Urbanization Through Airplanes, Software, and Infrastructure.” In Janos, N. And C. McKendry (Eds.), Urban Cascadia and the Pursuit of Environmental Justice. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press.
Janos, Nik and Corina McKendry. (2021). “Drawing the Thin Green Line: Throwing a wrench in carbon commodity chains.” In Janos, N. And C. McKendry (Eds.), Urban Cascadia and the Pursuit of Environmental Justice. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press.
Janos, Nik. (2018). Urbanising territory: The contradictions of eco-cityism at the industrial margins, Duwamish River, Seattle. Urban Studies, 57(11), 2282–2299. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098018797284
McKendry, Corina and Nik Janos. (2015). “Greening the Industrial City: Equity, Environment, and Economic Growth in Seattle and Chicago.” International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics 1–16.
Janos, Nik and Corina McKendry. (2014). “Globalization, Governance, and Re-Naturing the Industrial City: Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA.” Pp. 1–36 in, edited by S. Curtis.
Janos, Nik. (2012). “Blinded by Science: The Allure of the Technological Fix After Hurricane Sandy.” Grist. https://grist.org/business-technology/blinded-by-science-the-allure-of-the-technological-fix-after-hurricane-sandy/
Media Appearances:
New Day Northwest, Seattle’s only daily morning show. Corina and I discuss Urban Cascadia and the Pursuit of Environmental Justice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Guv2Jk6omWk
Sociology Ruins podcast. I critique the film Don’t Look Up. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sociology-ruins-everything/id1573416339?i=1000550066561
Course taught:
Environmental Sociology
Wealth and Inequality
Global Problems
Classical Social Theory
Public Sociology
Food Justice
The Politics of Sustainability