Harro van Lente

Harro van Lente studied at the University of Twente and graduated in physics (MSc) and philosophy of science & technology (MSc). In his PhD thesis (1993) Promising Technology he studied the dynamics of expectations in the development of technology. As invited professor in philosophy of technology he stayed 6 months at the University of Oviedo, Spain. He was research manager at Inspire Foundation, a think tank of the KPMG consulting firm, and was involved in various consultancy projects on innovation and organization.

Since 2010 Harro van Lente is professor at ICIS of ‘philosophy of sustainable development, from a humanistic perspective’. In his research he studies the relation between needs and novelty. Needs are not pre-given entities, but co-evolve with ongoing technological change. This raises questions about sustainable development, which is assumed to address the needs of future generations.

Harro van Lente is also Associate Professor of ‘Emerging Technologies’ at the University of Utrecht. His research focuses on the dynamics of expectations in nanotechnology, hydrogen and medical technologies. He is Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Dutch research school WTMC (Science, Technology and Modern Culture) and secretary of the European Association for the Studies of Science and Technology (EASST).