Dr. Christo Sims

Associate Professor

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Biography

Christo Sims is an Associate Professor at the University of California, San Diego, where he holds affiliations in Urban Studies, Science Studies, Ethnic Studies, and the Design Lab. As a historically attuned ethnographer, his research focuses on technological change, social inequality, and social practice. His current book project investigates regional economies centered around knowledge work and their attempts to sustain economic growth amidst ecological limits and social inequalities, with a particular focus on Silicon Valley. Sims has published award-winning books and articles interdisciplinary fields such as sociology, anthropology, and communication studies. He also teaches courses addressing practice theory, climate crisis, social movements, and the politics of technology design. Throughout his career, Sims has engaged with ethnographic design initiatives and has been a core member of the Nature, Space, Politics research group. He earned his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley in 2012 and has been recognized for his contributions to communication and media sociology, winning the 2018 Book Award from the American Sociological Association. Raised in rural Northern California, he is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Bowdoin College.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

2016-09-01 — Present

University of California, San Diego • La Jolla, CA

Teaching courses on practice theory, social movements, and technology design, while engaging in research on technological change and social inequality.

Requirements for University of California, San Diego

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:85
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:120
Overall
Required:120
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in physical, biological, or earth sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Differential and integral calculus. One year of calculus-based physics with laboratory. One year of chemistry with laboratory.
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose (max 2 pages)
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Application fee ($135 domestic / $155 international)
Specialization Notes

Administered by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Curricular groups include Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere (COAP), Geosciences (GEO), and Ocean Biosciences (OBP).