Nicholas De Genova is an American anthropologist, geographer, theorist, and academic activist renowned for his scholarship on migration, borders, race, citizenship, and labor. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies at the University of Houston, where he served as department Chair from 2018 to 2024. During the 2024-25 academic year, he is a Member of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton. De Genova has held previous academic appointments in Geography at King's College London (2013-2016) and in Anthropology at Goldsmiths, University of London (2011-2013), Columbia University (2000-2009), and Stanford University (1997-1999). His work often intersects with critical theory and activism, including participation in international collaborative projects such as the network on COVID-19 and (Im)Mobility in the Americas, involving over 70 researchers across 21 countries, initiated by Soledad Álvarez Velasco.

De Genova gained significant public attention as an academic activist, particularly for his controversial anti-war statements. In 2003, during a teach-in at Columbia University against the Iraq War, he famously remarked that 'the only true heroes' of the September 11 attacks were the hijackers, a statement that sparked widespread outrage, led to his resignation from Columbia, and drew criticism from various quarters for its provocative nature. Despite the backlash, De Genova has continued to engage in scholarly and activist work critiquing imperialism, nationalism, and border regimes. His publications and research emphasize the racialized dimensions of migration and citizenship, contributing to broader discussions on global mobility and inequality.

As a researcher, De Genova's career reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches, blending anthropology, geography, and cultural studies. He has been involved in numerous international networks and remains an influential figure in migration studies, often addressing the intersections of policy, power, and human movement.