Ron Eglash

Ron Eglash is a Professor in the School of Information at the University of Michigan, with a secondary appointment in the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design. He holds a BS in Cybernetics, MS in Systems Engineering, and PhD in History of Consciousness, all from the University of California. His research focuses on culturally situated design tools, generative justice, and the intersection of indigenous knowledge systems with modern computing. Eglash is known for his book African Fractals, exploring links between indigenous African designs and modern computing. He leads the Culturally Situated Design Tools (CSDT) initiative, which uses heritage algorithms to empower youth in STEM education. His work emphasizes decolonial approaches to technology, advocating for a circular economy and ethical AI governance.

Education:

• BS in Cybernetics, University of California
• MS in Systems Engineering, University of California
• PhD in History of Consciousness, University of California

Research Interests:

• Generative Justice: Shifting science/innovation toward sustainability and equity
• Culturally Situated Design: Bridging indigenous knowledge with computational tools
• Race and Technology: Addressing equity in AI and STEM
• Complexity Theory: Applications in social and ecological systems

Recent Work: Eglash’s publications explore AI governance, computational reparations, and decolonial approaches to technology. He emphasizes community-driven solutions, such as worker-owned AI systems and ethical automation frameworks. His courses include Design for Generative Justice and Self-organization in Science and Society.

Grants & Collaborations:

• NSF-funded Culturally Situated Design Tools (CSDT)
• Ubuntu-AI project for equitable machine learning
• Research on generative justice in circular economies

Labs/Teams: Directs the CSDT initiative and collaborates with the International Institute and the Generative Justice Lab at the University of Michigan.