Scott Smith
Futurist and Leader, Research Applications

Scott Smith holds dual responsibilities at Social Technologies. As a futurist, he specializes in forecasting consumer use of soft technologies, such as those related to food, health, and wellbeing, and of hard technologies such as networked communications and commerce tools. Operationally, he is responsible for developing tools, processes, methodologies, and metrics to enable tracking of trends, collection and analysis of consumer and expert opinion, design and implementation of primary research tools, and creation of events and learning tools for clients. He is also a key writer/analyst for S)T's multiclient research programs, Technology Foresight and Global Lifestyles, and manages custom consulting projects for the company's clients.

Before joining S)T Scott spent well over a decade observing and analyzing the convergence of technology, politics, economics, and society. He served in senior research roles including founding director of technology research practices at Jupiter Communications, Current Analysis, and the Yankee Group Europe, and was a founder and managing partner of Cumulus Research Partners. Clients have included France Telecom, Energis, BT, Kellogg, McDonald's, McKinsey & Co., Alcatel, and Boston Consulting Group.

Scott shares his views and analysis globally at major conferences and symposia, such as through a recent keynote to UNICEF in New York City on emerging trends in digital communication, a workshop at LIFT07 in Geneva, Switzerland on technology values, and leading a panel at SxSW in Austin, Texas this year. His opinions have been aired on CNN, CNBC, Economist TV, and the BBC as well as in the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and Red Herring. He studied economic history and foreign languages at Georgia State University, and has performed graduate work in public administration. He is a member of the Industrial Designers' Society of America (IDSA).