Dr. Seth Lunine

Biography

Seth Lunine's experience growing up in the East Bay has significantly shaped his academic interests, particularly regarding the historical roots and contemporary urban transformations in California. He holds a B.A. and Ph.D. in Geography from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.A. from California State University, Northridge. His dissertation, titled 'Iron, Oil, Emeryville: Resource Industrialization and Metropolitan Expansion in the San Francisco Bay Area, 1850-1900', combines urban economic geography with a study of the role of industrialization in regional capitalism and metropolitan growth. Currently, he is focused on writing a book manuscript titled 'Sin Suburb: Manufacturing Vice in Emeryville and the San Francisco Bay Area', which explores urban politics and the impact of commercial entertainment and popular culture. He is also engaged in new research projects examining the early high explosives sector and the role of specialized Bay Area corporations in shaping California’s economic expansion during the late 19th century. Seth's participation in the American Cultures Engaged Scholarship Program (ACES) has enhanced his teaching methods and allowed him to further explore issues of power, race, and class in contemporary cities. Drawing from his experience in the nonprofit sector, he has designed and implemented student partnerships with artists, activists, and community organizations to confront challenges like gentrification, displacement, and homelessness in San Francisco's Tenderloin and SOMA districts.

Research Interests

Courses