Nick Seaver

Nick Seaver is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Science, Technology, and Society (STS) program at Tufts University. His research focuses on the intersection of technology, culture, and algorithmic systems. He is a Fellow at the Harvard Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society and a CIFAR Fellow in the Future Flourishing Program. Seaver’s work critiques how algorithms shape cultural experiences, particularly in music recommendation systems. His book Computing Taste (2022) explores the cultural implications of music recommendation algorithms. Currently, he is investigating the evolving concept of 'attention' in technical and humanistic contexts.

His research interests include digital culture, the anthropology of technology, and the ethical dimensions of algorithmic systems. He has presented globally on topics like attention mechanisms in AI, driver monitoring systems, and the cultural impact of algorithms. Seaver teaches courses on digital anthropology, the history of STS, and the cultural dimensions of computing. His work has been featured in journals like Cultural Anthropology, Big Data & Society, and Science, Technology & Human Values.

Awards include the Berkman Klein Fellowship and the CIFAR Future Flourishing Fellowship. His teaching emphasizes critical engagement with technology through courses like 'Technologies of Enchantment' and 'How to Pay Attention.' Seaver actively engages with interdisciplinary communities, organizing panels at conferences such as the American Anthropological Association meetings.