Andrew Maynard
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Phone: 480-727-8831
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Mail code: 6002Campus: Tempe
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Andrew D. Maynard, Ph.D.
Translating complexity into clarity at the edge of emerging technologies
Andrew Maynard is a transdisciplinary thinker, scientist, and writer whose career has been defined by one overarching goal: making knowledge meaningful, accessible, and empowering to all — not just to experts, but to anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world.
He is Professor of Advanced Technology Transitions in Arizona State University’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society, founding director of the ASU Future of Being Human initiative, and a long-time leader in research and policy at the intersection of emerging technologies, society, and the future. With a career that spans aerosol physics, public health, risk innovation, science communication, and technology governance, Andrew has become internationally recognized for helping individuals and institutions grapple with the promises and perils of transformative technologies — including artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, nanotechnology, and more.
His work is driven by a deep belief: that everyone — regardless of background — has a right to understand, shape, and thrive in the future being built around them. This conviction animates everything from his congressional testimony and advisory roles with the World Economic Forum and National Academies, to his writing for platforms like The Conversation, Slate, Scientific American, and The Washington Post, to his highly accessible books Films from the Future and Future Rising — the latter a personal exploration of humanity’s evolving relationship with the future. It also underpins his teaching and mentorship, where he inspires students to think critically and creatively across disciplinary boundaries.
Andrew’s work has been shaped by decades of experience in occupational and public health, nanotechnology safety, risk governance, and responsible innovation. Yet what sets him apart is his ability to connect these domains into a larger, cohesive narrative: one that sees technology not just as tools, but as systems of power, meaning, and possibility. His concept of “advanced technology transitions” captures this approach — inviting new ways of thinking about how we move from disruption to dignity, from innovation to impact.
Beyond his academic roles, Andrew is a public intellectual with a global reach. He writes for the Substack The Future of Being Human, is a co-host of the Modem Futura podcast, and is the creator of Risk Bites, a YouTube channel that brings clarity and context to complex issues of risk. He is also a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and serves on multiple national and international advisory boards.
Now in a phase of his career marked by clarity and conviction, Andrew is focused on work that truly matters: convening diverse voices, challenging dominant narratives, and building pathways toward a more just, imaginative, and inclusive future. He continues to lead not only with expertise, but with a quiet ambition — to be a thoughtful, empowering presence in shaping the conversations, decisions, and futures that matter most.
FOR SITUATIONS REQUIRING A SHORTER BIO
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275 word bio:
Andrew Maynard is a scientist, writer, and transdisciplinary thought leader whose work focuses on helping people and organizations navigate a world being rapidly reshaped by emerging technologies. A professor in Arizona State University’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society, he directs the Future of Being Human initiative and is widely known for his work on responsible innovation, risk, and technology governance.
Andrew’s career spans aerosol physics, occupational and public health, nanotechnology safety, AI policy, and beyond. But what unites his work is a deep commitment to making knowledge accessible, empowering, and actionable — especially for those not traditionally included in conversations about the future. He has testified before Congress, served on numerous National Academies and World Economic Forum committees, and written for platforms including The Conversation, Slate, Scientific American, and The Washington Post. He is also the author of Films from the Future and Future Rising, two books that explore our relationship with technology and the future through accessible, thought-provoking lenses.
Whether mentoring students, advising policymakers, or reaching curious minds through Substack and YouTube (Risk Bites), Andrew’s work is animated by a belief that knowledge is a public good — and that those who generate it have a responsibility to share it meaningfully. His concept of “advanced technology transitions” invites new thinking about how we navigate disruptive change with foresight and purpose.
A Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Andrew is quietly ambitious about the future: not in pursuit of prestige, but in pursuit of positive change. He brings a rare blend of expertise, humility, and vision to the urgent question of how we shape the future — before it shapes us.
196 word bio:
Andrew Maynard is a scientist, author, and public intellectual who works at the intersection of emerging technologies, society, and the future. A professor in Arizona State University’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society, he directs the Future of Being Human initiative and is known for his leadership on responsible innovation and technology transitions.
With a background spanning aerosol physics, public health, nanotechnology, AI, and risk, Andrew brings a transdisciplinary approach to some of the most complex challenges of our time. He’s advised the U.S. Congress, National Academies, World Economic Forum, and other global organizations, while also reaching broad audiences through Substack, podcasts, and his YouTube channel Risk Bites.
A passionate communicator, Andrew believes in making knowledge accessible to everyone — not just to experts. He is the author of Films from the Future and Future Rising, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
At the heart of his work is a desire to empower others — especially those outside traditional power structures — to understand, question, and help shape the future. He leads with clarity, humility, and a conviction that better futures are possible when more people are part of building them.
143 word bio:
Andrew Maynard is a scientist, author, and professor whose work explores how emerging technologies are reshaping society — and how we can navigate that change responsibly. He is Professor of Advanced Technology Transitions at Arizona State University and director of the Future of Being Human initiative.
A former physicist and public health researcher, Andrew’s career spans nanotechnology, AI, risk innovation, and science communication. He has advised U.S. and international policymakers, contributed to high-profile initiatives with the World Economic Forum and National Academies, and written for outlets including The Conversation, Slate, and Scientific American.
Through his books, public writing, teaching, and YouTube channel Risk Bites, Andrew brings clarity to complexity and empowers people from all backgrounds to engage with the future. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a leading voice in making knowledge accessible, impactful, and inclusive.
92 word bio:
Andrew Maynard is a scientist, writer, and professor at Arizona State University, where he directs the Future of Being Human initiative. His work focuses on helping people and organizations navigate emerging technologies with clarity, responsibility, and imagination. With a background in physics, public health, and technology policy, he bridges disciplines to explore how innovation can serve society more effectively. Andrew is the author of Films from the Future and Future Rising, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a passionate advocate for making knowledge accessible to all.
Links
- Thought Leadership
- Substack
- Modem Futura podcast
- The Future of Being Human initiative
- Risk Innovation Nexus
- Professional Website
- The Conversation
- Risk Bites (YouTube)
- Ph.D. Aerosol Physics. Microstructural Physics Department, Cavendish Laboratory. Thesis: Ultrafine aerosol particle collection and analysis, University of Cambridge, U.K. (1989 – 1992)
- B.Sc. Physics (Hons): Iii. University of Birmingham, U.K (1984 - 1987)
