Zannah Matson

Zannah Matson serves as an Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she delves into the intricate histories and modern reinterpretations of landscapes shaped by colonization, extraction, and state infrastructure projects. Her academic pursuits are deeply rooted in understanding the enduring impacts of coloniality, particularly through the lens of highway construction in Colombia's Eastern piedmont landscapes. Matson's work critically examines how power dynamics, transportation infrastructure, and visual representation influence the evolution of Latin American landscapes. In addition to her teaching and research responsibilities, Matson contributes to the academic community through her role on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Architectural Education. Her expertise and insights are further shared as the Social Media Editor for the Landscape Research Journal, where she engages with a broader audience to discuss pressing issues in landscape architecture. Matson's commitment to addressing the challenges posed by extraction is evident in her active involvement with Beyond Extraction, a collective dedicated to critically investigating and resisting various forms of extraction. Through this collective, she collaborates with like-minded individuals to explore sustainable and equitable alternatives to current practices. Her work not only sheds light on the historical and contemporary issues facing landscapes but also seeks to inspire change by advocating for more inclusive and sustainable approaches to landscape architecture. Matson's research and activism continue to contribute significantly to the discourse on how landscapes are shaped and reshaped by human intervention and natural processes. With a focus on Latin American landscapes, Matson's contributions extend beyond academia, influencing policy discussions and community practices. Her dedication to understanding and transforming landscapes through a critical lens positions her as a leading voice in the field of landscape architecture.