Eric von Hippel

Eric von Hippel is the T Wilson (1953) Professor in Management and Professor of Management of Innovation and Engineering Systems at MIT Sloan School of Management. He leads research on user-driven innovation communities and collaborates with governments in the Netherlands, Denmark, and the UK to develop user-centered innovation policies.

• Education:
  • BA in Economics, Harvard College
  • SM in Mechanical Engineering, MIT
  • PhD in Business and Engineering, Carnegie-Mellon University

His work focuses on democratizing innovation through user communities, documented in his book Democratizing Innovation. Current projects explore how user innovation principles can extend to product and service development. His research has influenced industry innovation processes and policy frameworks globally.

Recent Articles & Trends: Recent works address data commons strategies, informal innovation in South Africa, and policy implications of innovation commons. These studies emphasize leveraging user-driven insights to shape economic and technological strategies.

• Awards:
  • Portuguese National Medal of Science (2020)
  • Innovation Luminary Award
  • Excellence in Innovation Research Award

He advises on governmental policies and collaborates with international organizations like the UNDP. His work bridges academic research with practical industry applications.