I direct the Center for Civic Media and the MIT Media Lab and teach and advise in both the Media Lab and MIT's Comparative Media Studies department. My research focuses on media and social change, and I'm working on a new book on civic participation when people don't trust large institutions. My last book, Digital Cosmopolitans, was about globalization and the internet.

I'm co-founder of Global Voices, a global citizen media network. Prior to GV and Berkman, I helped found Geekcorps, a global technology volunteering group, and Tripod, an early web hosting company. I advise startups focused on technology and social change in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ushahidi and PenPlusBytes, and serve on the board of the Open Society Foundation.

I live in western Massachusetts with my wife, son and fuzzy cat.