Calestous Juma

Papers

Total Citations

152

H-Index

About

Calestous Juma was a pioneering scholar at the intersection of innovation, technology policy, and sustainable development, whose work profoundly shaped how policymakers and researchers understand technological change. A professor at Harvard Kennedy School, Juma dedicated his career to examining why societies embrace or resist emerging technologies, with a particular focus on developing nations and Africa. His landmark book *Innovation and Its Enemies: Why People Resist New Technologies* (2016), his most cited work with over 136 citations, offers a sweeping historical analysis revealing that resistance to new technologies — from coffee to electricity to genetically modified crops — follows remarkably consistent patterns driven by cultural identity, vested interests, and fear of disruption. By framing technological adoption as fundamentally a social and political challenge, Juma provided governments and innovators with crucial frameworks for navigating public controversy. His scholarship argued compellingly that understanding historical resistance is essential for harnessing technologies like artificial intelligence responsibly and equitably. Beyond academia, Juma advised African governments and international organizations on science and innovation policy, leaving a legacy that continues to influence global conversations about technology, development, and human progress.