John Seely Brown


John Seely Brown, also known as "JSB", is a researcher who specializes in organizational studies with a particular bend towards the organizational implications of computer-supported activities.

Early life

Brown graduated from Brown University in 1962 with degrees in physics and mathematics. He received a PhD from the University of Michigan in computer and communication sciences in 1970.

Career

His research interests include the management of radical innovation, digital culture, ubiquitous computing, autonomous computing and organizational learning. JSB is also the namesake of John Seely Brown Symposium on Technology and Society, held at the University of Michigan School of Information. The first JSB symposium in 2000 featured a lecture by Stanford Professor of Law Lawrence Lessig, titled "Architecting Innovation," and a panel discussion, "The Implications of Open Source Software," featuring Brown, Lessig and the William D. Hamilton Collegiate Professor of Complex Systems at SI, Michael D. Cohen. Subsequent events were held in 2002, 2006 and 2008.
He has held several positions and roles, including: