Olivier Usher

 

I work where technology and society meet.

 

I am currently Director of Research and Design for Challenge Works and the Longitude Prize, based at Nesta in London, UK.

 

I am a trustee of the Engineering Development Trust.

 

Current projects:

·      I am searching for the topic – and sponsor – of the next Longitude Prize, the world’s most prestigious technology prize.

 

In the past:

·      I was programme director for the Aqualunar Challenge, a UK Space Agency innovation challenge to purify water on the Moon.

·      I was programme director for the Manchester Prize, the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology’s prize on AI for the environment.

·      I designed R&D funding initiatives on robotics, drones, agriculture, dementia, paralysis and more.

·      I advised the governments of Canada, Chile, Brazil and the UAE on innovation policy.

·      I was seconded into the civil service.

·      I worked on a project to unleash flying cars in cities.

·      I did press and public outreach for the Hubble Space Telescope and wrote a coffee table book about it.

·      I was production manager and subeditor for a political magazine.

 

Things I have written:

·      Longform content on Medium, mostly on science and technology policy.

·      Content on Challenge Works and Nesta sites, mostly on challenge-driven innovation.

 

Social media:

·      LinkedIn.

·      Bluesky.

 

Trivia:

·      I was a finalist on University Challenge.

·      I have driven to Istanbul and back and have some tips if you ever want to do the same.

·      Je parle français.

 

Contact:

I enjoy talking, speaking and writing about science, technology, innovation and society. Let’s chat: hello@ojusher.com