George Oates

George Oates is a seasoned leader in cultural technology and design, currently serving as Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Flickr Foundation since November 2022, where the focus is on preserving Flickr and promoting a global visual commons. Oates previously founded and led Museum in a Box, an edtech startup aimed at enhancing access to cultural treasures globally. A Principal at Good, Form & Spectacle, Oates specialized in cultural heritage projects and user experience design. Early career roles included Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution, Director of Design at Stamen, and key positions at Flickr and its predecessor Ludicorp. Oates holds a Fellow position at The Institute of Cooperative Digital Economy and has advanced degrees in Virtual Communication and ongoing research affiliation at the University of Edinburgh.