Viswanath Venkatesh
Virginia Tech, SWVA Node CCI Fellow
Get to Know Me
How I'd capture the essence of my work in a newspaper headline ...
Technology's impact on society and business
Something that excites me in my field...
The ever-changing landscape of science and technology--and how it can help and hinder. It can help save and lift up the lives of millions but it can also lead to a bomb that kills millions. We must, as scientists, endeavor to leverage the benefits and curb the negative impacts.
Another researcher I admire...
.Herbert Simon. I cannot think of another modern day scholar who has been more interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary.
Something I learned in my research this year that surprised me...
Managing challenges in cybersecurity requires a multipronged approach. Technical solutions can only go so far.
I first discovered my passion for this work...
In my undergraduate degree. As a computer science undergraduate student, I wanted to go beyond the nuts and bolts of technology to how it can be used for the greater good.
I find the most joy in my work when...
My student is successful. I learn something I didn't know. I discover something.
My no-fail, power-track, motivational song is...
Eye of the Tiger
Last time I stepped out of my comfort zone...
Does today count?
The book(s) currently on my nightstand...
A couple of books by Karl Popper.
If I had to choose one prized possession it would be...
Letters of advice from my parents when I was in grad school.
The most courageous thing I've done...
Not take a job in Corporate America and going into academia (a Ph.D.) because I didn't want to stop learning.
Best advice I've ever received...
Related to the most courageous thing I've ever done: never stop learning.
The last thing that really made me laugh...
Finnish comedian, Ismo's many observations about the English language.
Current University
Virginia Tech
Research Areas
Technology diffusion, cybersecurity, health care IT, societal impacts of research
Background
Venkatesh is an eminent scholar and Verizon Chair at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business, where he is also director of the Executive Ph.D. program.
His research focuses on understanding the diffusion of technologies in organizations and society. His most impactful project focuses on improving the quality of life of the poorest of the poor in India, which he has presented in such forums as the United Nations.
His work has appeared in leading journals in human-computer interaction, information systems, organizational behavior, psychology, marketing, medical informatics, and operations management.
Venkatesh received the Association for Information Systems’ Technology Legacy Award and has served in editorial roles in various journals.
He is a Fellow of the AIS and the Information Systems Society, INFORMS.
Alma Mater
University of Minnesota