Michael Nelson

Dr. Michael R. Nelson has been a pivotal figure in the evolution of Internet technologies and policies for over three decades. His extensive career includes significant roles ranging from policy development to academic instruction and public speaking.

Nelson launched the Washington DC policy office for Cloudflare in 2015, aiding in enhancing the performance and security of over 13 million websites. Before that, he served as a Principal Technology Policy Strategist at Microsoft’s Technology Policy Group and a Senior Technology and Telecommunications Analyst at Bloomberg Government. Nelson has also been actively involved in shaping Internet governance through his roles at IBM, the Federal Communications Commission, and directly under Vice President Al Gore at the White House.

Currently, Nelson is a Visiting Professor of Internet Studies at Georgetown University’s Communication, Culture, and Technology Program, where he has been teaching and conducting research since January 2009. His courses cover a diverse range of topics including "The Future of the Internet," technology trends, cyber-policy, innovation policy, and e-government. He is also a senior fellow in the Carnegie Asia Program and actively consults on issues related to digital technologies, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Nelson serves on several advisory boards, including the Applications, Middleware, and Services Advisory Council of the Internet2 university consortium. He is a trustee of the Institute for International Communications and remains engaged with the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation and the European Institute. Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Caltech and a Ph.D. from MIT. Recognized as a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum, his contributions to technology and policy continue to influence global strategies and advancements.