Cities are at the forefront of innovation. We see cities leaning more and more on technology as they create smarter, more sustainable cities. Recognizing this trend, Microsoft formed the Tech and Civic Engagement Group to collaborate with the civic tech ecosystem to bring innovative ideas and advancements in technology together to make cities more efficient and effective for their community. The team combines deep technical, academic and policy expertise with the resources of a global tech leader. In addition to our thought leadership role, we also invest in Civic Innovation Fellows who roll up their sleeves and get involved in local projects. Justin is our newest Fellow in San Francisco and will be assisting with several projects.
– Scott Mauvais, Director of Technology and Civic Engagement
Where are you from? I grew up in Johns Creek, GA, about 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta.
School/grade/major/area of study: I am a rising senior at Duke University with a major in Public Policy Studies and a Certificate in Information Science and Studies.
Why did you choose Microsoft’s Civic Tech Fellowship? Last summer I had a wonderful experience working for Microsoft in Beijing learning about cybersecurity related issues, and how to build trust with governments. When I heard about the Civic Tech Fellowship, it seemed like a great way to follow up on the experience and learn about how our technology is improving the lives of everyday citizens, which is very important to me. Additionally, I had never been to the Bay Area before and I had always wanted to come here and be involved in the tech community here.
What’s the last thing you searched on Bing? “Azure management portal” — as you can see, I’m hard at work.
Who’s your civic tech mentor/idol? A couple days ago I met Carla Mays at a conference and I was totally blown away by some of the work that she’s done. For now, it’s definitely her.
What projects are you working on for your position as tech fellow for Microsoft Bay Area? Right now, I’m working helping the San Francisco Neighborhood Empowerment Network develop a platform to manage identity and content.
What excites you about civic tech? For me, civic tech is a catalyst for the kind of cross-sector partnerships that we need to craft the best solutions for the problems our world is facing now, and will face in the years to come.
What’s your favorite Microsoft technology? Hololens is pretty awesome.
What’s one problem you hope civic tech will solve for cities? I hope to see civic tech make a difference in law enforcement, and give police departments the tools to enforce the law more equitably across different demographics.
