Dr. Ramesh Srinivasan

Biography

Ramesh Srinivasan is an American engineer, social scientist, academic, author, and host of the Utopias podcast. He is a Professor of Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he also holds a joint appointment in Design/Media Arts. Srinivasan is the founder and Director of the Digital Cultures Lab at UCLA, established in 2015, and serves as the Assistant Director of UCLA’s DataX initiative. His research examines the impact of technology on political, social, psychological, economic, and ecological realities, aiming to utilize technology to support people facing environmental issues rather than exacerbate isolation and division. Srinivasan has had a role in various political contexts, including serving as a national surrogate for Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2020 presidential campaign and participating in President Biden's innovation policy committee. He continues to informally advise Representative Ro Khanna and works with multiple state legislators on AI rights and regulations in California. His recent publications include the book 'Valley: Innovators World Overcoming Inequality Creating Technologies Tomorrow', which was recognized by Forbes as a top technology book in 2019, and he has been referenced by notable figures including New York columnist Thomas Friedman. Srinivasan is also a member of the board of directors for Awana Digital, a nonprofit organization focused on working with land protectors in the Amazon, and serves as an adviser for the New_Public project and the Huntington Library.

Research Interests