Enterprise Technology’s

Next Lab

We are a community of future-focused thinkers and creators who innovate to solve some of the world’s most complex problems with future tools, skills and mindsets. 

Charged with creating what’s next, we bridge the gap between imagination and reality by exploring emerging technologies, identifying future-ready skills, and activating interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dan MunnerleyExecutive Director and Lead Design Architect

A hub of innovation at ASU

Next Lab is part of Enterprise Technology at ASU where we imagine the future and build ways to help us get there–technology is just one of the tools we use to do this. All of our work is firmly rooted in our core values; we welcome students of all backgrounds and pride ourselves in being a diverse and inclusive environment. Envisioning and building inclusive tech-driven futures with diverse learners, educators, industry and global society.

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Next Lab is at the intersection of imagination and innovation.

We envision futures that are more inclusive, equitable and accessible across the globe.

We accomplish this by empowering a community of future-focused thinkers and creators to imagine, build and play with technologies to positively shape society.

We build projects with the next technologies, develop the next skills that help our students secure jobs in the next careers. At the same time we help ASU develop the next curriculum.

Our projects are student led and partner funded and we follow an ethical and principled framework that focuses on the impact of our work on future generations.

Vision:

To cultivate future skills, technologies, and careers that will lead to positive social impact in Arizona and beyond.

We boldly imagine new curriculum and co-create equitable futures with diverse learners, educators, industry, technology and our global society.

Mission:

Exploring emerging technologies:
We relentlessly explore the frontiers of emerging technologies, unlocking their potential to transform the world.

Cultivating future-ready skills:
We empower individuals with future ready mindsets and hard skills to thrive in an ever-evolving technological landscape.

Activating interdisciplinary collaboration:
We foster a culture of collaboration, bringing together diverse minds to innovate and solve complex challenges.

Building inclusive, tech-driven futures with innovation and collaboration

At Next Lab, we bring together a diverse community of learners, educators, industry leaders and global partners to tackle the world’s most complex challenges using cutting-edge tools, skills and mindsets. Our team of Studio Associates, from undergraduates to PhD candidates, reflects the power of diverse perspectives. By partnering with local government, tech giants and ASU faculty, we create innovative solutions that shape a better, more inclusive future.

Themes

Game Based Learning

Learner Agency, Intrinsic motivation, Flow design, Game Mechanics

Generative AI

Speech recognition, computer vision, natural language processing, GPTs, GANs

Spatial Computing

Learner Agency, Intrinsic motivation, Flow design, Game Mechanics

Web3

Learner Agency, Intrinsic motivation, Flow design, Game Mechanics

Futures Thinking

Signals, Readiness, Foresight/Insight, Patterns, Retro-Active

Responsible Innovation

Anticipation, Reflexivity, Inclusion, Responsiveness

Embodied Learning

Quantum cognition, Complementarity and superposition

Learner Agency

Heutagogy, self efficacy, meta-cognition, reflection, p2p, self-determined

Our values

At Next Lab, we believe that our values are the driving force behind our vision. Our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and community engagement shapes what we do and how we do it. By placing our values at the forefront, we ensure that every project we undertake, every partnership we form, and every solution we create is grounded in principles that foster growth, inclusivity and positive impact.

Inclusive excellence:

We envision futures that are more inclusive, equitable and accessible across the globe.

Agentic learners:

Our learners are agentic and self-determined architects of their education.

Community focused:

We are elevated by social networks and technologies that nurture a robust community.

Curiosity and play:

Focused on the cultivation of imagination, curiosity, and play.

Learner as creator:

Built by diverse learners as creators, makers, producers and inventors.

Transdisciplinary collaboration:

We are driven by transdisciplinary collaboration and exploration.

Principled innovation:

Anchored by a steadfast commitment to ethical, sustainable and principled innovation.

7th Generation Principle:

Guided by the 7th Generation principle, building sustainable futures for generations to come.

Guilds

Our guilds are communities of learners exploring and upskilling in future-ready subjects. This model is open to the public and has attracted 300+ members.

Technical Artistry, Modeling, Animation, Concept

Use industry standard software including Blender, Maya, and Unity to transform Next Lab products into explorable, immersive environments that are skillfully and beautifully designed. 

Cloud Infrastructure

Cloud infrastructure architects and engineers develop multiplayer modes with a focus on cloud-based rendering and databasing as well as loading Unity addressables.

Game Engine

Utilizing both Unity and Unreal software, the Game Engine Guild codes and develops immersive products, creating functional features and graphic aesthetics that solidify the immersive nature of each experience.

Marketing + Digital Storytelling

Works with all teams and guilds to effectively convey our values, share our story through captivating digital materials, and enrich our community through celebrations and up-skilling events.

Quality Assurance + User Testing (QA)

Provide feedback and identify bugs for projects by running routine testing sessions throughout the development process to ensure product quality and meet user demands and expectations.

User Interface + User Experience (UI/UX)

The User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) guild focuses on building interfaces that improve the user experience through intentional and beautiful design strategies for sleek, fun, and immersive engagement.

Partner Network

Next Lab is part of: