On February 28, 2025, hundreds of ASU educators, technologists, students, and student success professionals gathered at FOLC (Future of Learning Community) Fest to shine a light on how principled innovation has shaped their work, guided their practices, and echoed ASU’s charter commitments. As part of this event, Dr. Bea Rodriguez-Fransen, Director at ASU Next Lab…

In addition to serving on the design committee of the 100Yr EdTech Summit 2025, ASU Next Lab Co-founder and Director Dr. Bea Rodriguez-Fransen authored and collaborated with StoryCenter to produce the future scenario “Declaration Day: A ‘Major’ Reset.” Of the 33 future scenarios that were submitted to the summit this year, Rodriguez-Fransen’s was voted by…

Join the movement to create safer, healthier, and thriving work environments Have you ever witnessed or experienced workplace bullying? You’re not alone—and it’s more common than you might think. Unlike harassment, workplace bullying often flies under the radar, but its effects are just as serious. It can impact mental and physical health, decrease morale, and…

What if, in ten years, autonomous electric shuttles in Tempe’s most congested areas successfully reduce the need for personal car ownership, despite the city’s historical car-centric infrastructure? What if the integration of smart technology in Tempe’s transportation system significantly improves road safety and connectivity, and promotes inclusivity for all users, including pedestrians and cyclists? Or…

ASU Next Lab Co-founders Dr. Bea Rodriguez-Fransen and Dan Munnerley were featured as speakers at ASU’s Smart Region Summit on March 4, 2025. Rodriguez-Fransen served on a panel on Indigenous Communities and Social Impact, and Munnerley was a panelist for the Education and Workforce Development stream. Indigenous Communities and Digital Twins: Capacity-Building, Digital Sovereignty &…

ASU Next Lab Co-founder and Director, Dr. Bea Rodriguez-Fransen, was recently invited as a plenary speaker at XR Southern Summit on February 26-27, 2025. Her talk explored how ASU Next Lab anticipates change, empowering the next generation of innovators with future skills and emerging technologies. Hosted by Southern Utah University, the Summit is a national…

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Zoom Fellowship at Arizona State University, an exciting new initiative made possible through our visionary five-year partnership between Technology at Arizona State University and Zoom. This fellowship represents a significant step in redefining how we connect, learn, and innovate in the digital age. Meet the First…

Project Acacia, led by Afghan Scholars in collaboration with Next Lab during Fall 2024, explores using 3D technologies to create high-fidelity digital twins of real-world environments. These 3D, interactive models enable stakeholders to explore, analyze virtually, and plan spaces, with applications in urban planning, retail attraction, and infrastructure development. Project Acacia demonstrates the power of…

The digital twins for Maricopa County are crucial tools for understanding and addressing disparities in broadband access across diverse communities in Maricopa County. By creating a virtual representation of the county’s infrastructure, including broadband connectivity and accessibility, we aim to uncover data-driven insights to better serve underserved areas. Access to reliable broadband is essential for…

Bea Rodriguez-Fransen has always been a forward thinker, driving innovation as the Director of ASU Next Lab and a Senior Global Futures Scholar at the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation. Now, she adds another accolade to her impressive career: TED Talk presenter. In her newly released TED Talk, Bea shares her insights on building…