David Alan Grier Biography

David Alan Grier is the Digital Technology and Communications Principal at Djaghe LLC. He has over 35 years of experience working in private industry, universities, and professional societies.

In publications, he was the editor-in-chief of two magazines published by the Computer Society of the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He served as Director of its magazine group, Publisher for the Computer Society, and a member of the IEEE Press Committee. He has been a columnist or contributing editor for many periodicals, including Computer Magazine, Consumer Electronics Magazine, IEEE Annals, and The Communications of the Chinese Computing Federation (published in Mandarin). He has authored five books, including When Computers Were Human (Princeton University Press, 2005), and produced numerous podcasts, such as “The Known World,” “The Errant Hashtag,” and “The CrowdPod.” Full list of his publications.

In Academe, he was an associate professor at the George Washington University, where he served as Assistant Dean of Engineering, Associate Dean of International Affairs, and Director of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program. He holds a PhD in Mathematical Statistics from the University of Washington and an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Middlebury College.

In Industry, he began his career as a software engineer for Burroughs Computer Corporation. He has worked as a consultant to technology firms, helped to organize the Crowdsortium Trade Association, and served as Director of Global Policy for the IEEE. He was also the President of the Computer Society.

In the Performing Arts, he served on the Board of Trustees of the Shakespeare Theatre (Washington, DC) and has consulted with other performing arts organizations on issues of technology and management. He has also authored and produced audio dramas, including A Bustle, A Corset, & The London Necropolis Express and Add Subtract Unite Divide.