I teach and write about twentieth century history, focusing on how politics and policy shape high-technology economies. My book, Cities of Knowledge: Cold War Science and the Search for the Next Silicon Valley, explores how Silicon Valley came to be, why other U.S. regions did not become Silicon Valley, and what Cold War political economy had to do with it. My other academic research projects pursue similar themes on a global scale, examining the "new" Silicon Valleys of China, India, and other nations around the world. I also work with universities, governments, nonprofits, and private-sector organizations on knowledge-driven economic development, planning and governance, and the role of higher education institutions in building dynamic and sustainable regional economies. Students in my undergraduate and graduate history courses can learn about a range of topics in twentieth century US and world history, including Presidential elections and party politics; the development of cities and suburbs; the people, places, and politics of the American West; and social policy in the US and abroad.

I currently am an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at the University of Washington in Seattle and a special advisor for policy and economic issues to the University's Office of External Affairs. I am also a research scholar at Stanford University, where I am affiliated with the Bill Lane Center for the North American West and am a leader of Stanford's Urban Group. I received my PhD in History from the University of Pennsylvania and my BA from Northwestern University. From 1993 to 1997, I worked on economic and welfare policy in the Clinton Administration. My full CV.

Please explore the pages on this site to learn more about my current and past courses, research and writing, speeches and presentations, and policy work. You'll also find links to some useful resources about high-tech economies, world cities, higher education, and studying and teaching American history. Thanks for visiting!