Dr. Harro Van Lente

Biography

Harro van Lente is a full professor in Science and Technology Studies at the Faculty of Arts and Social Science, Maastricht University. He is considered one of the founding figures in the sociology of expectations, studying how representations of the future shape current socio-technical developments. Van Lente has published over 140 journal articles, book chapters, and edited volumes focusing on technology dynamics, innovation policy, and knowledge production. He was the recipient of the 2018 EASST Freeman Award and co-edited the book 'Emerging Technologies Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease: Innovating Care' with Marianne Boenink and Ellen Moors, published by Palgrave Macmillan. Van Lente's expertise encompasses science and technology studies, sociology of expectations, emerging technologies, constructivism, sustainable development, technology dynamics, innovation processes, foresight studies, governance of science systems, innovation management, and innovation policy. He studied physics and philosophy of science and technology at the University of Twente and has a rich career history, including positions as a research manager at the Inspire Foundation and as a program director for Technology Assessment at NanoNextNL, a Dutch nanotechnology consortium. He has also served as a visiting professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His current research interests include emerging technologies, smart industry, and space tourism.

Research Interests

Experience