Emily Gillcrist

Emily Gillcrist is the Founder and Director of VITAL THOUGHT, a human-centered education and consulting organization that connects diverse scholars with self-motivated individuals and forward-thinking groups, focusing on culture, contemporary thought, and tech ethics. With experience as the Deputy Director of Democracy and the Geopolitics of Tech at the Institute for Security and Technology, Emily contributed to research and managed initiatives investigating the impact of digital technologies on democracy. As an instructor at Stony Brook University, a graduate teaching assistant, and in various educational roles, Emily has guided and edited research on topics related to technology, media, and environmental policies. Emily holds a PhD in Cultural Analysis & Theory from Stony Brook University, a master's degree in Philosophy from The New School, and a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Philosophy, and Fine Art from Northeastern University.