Jason Hackworth

Professor of Planning and Geography

About me

I was born in Columbus Ohio, and grew up in a rural area southeast of that city. I’m not entirely sure why—no one else in my family shares my interest—but I was always fascinated by cities. I found them exciting, and big, and loud, and cosmopolitan—everything my very white, rural, working class upbringing was not.

I am a first-generation university graduate. I went to the University of Cincinnati where I majored in sociology with a focus on cities and racism. I did my PhD at Rutgers University in New Jersey with a focus on gentrification in New York City. My first academic job was at Florida State University where I worked from 2000-2002. I was delighted to be offered a job at the University of Toronto in 2002 and have worked there since.

I’ve written about a number of themes, topics and cities during my career. I suppose if there is a common thread it is on the erosion of state and collective supports for housing, general welfare, and cooperation in general. I see this erosion as a terrible thing for society, marginalized individuals, and even, at times, a functioning market. I try to shine a light on the pernicious outcomes of this erosion in my work.

I’m a dual citizen now. I live in Toronto with my wife Tenley, son Thomas, and fluffy cat Snowflake.