Person

Beth Simone Noveck

Legal scholar and civic technologist who pioneered open government and participatory democracy through digital platforms and policy innovation.

Beth Simone Noveck
Nationality
United States
Life
1969 – present
Roles
  • academic
  • author
  • entrepreneur
  • philosopher

Beth Simone Noveck is a legal scholar, author, and civic technologist who has been instrumental in advancing open government and participatory democracy. She served as the first U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer under President Obama, where she founded the White House Open Government Initiative and the Peer-to-Patent project, which crowdsourced patent examination. Noveck has held academic positions at New York University and Rutgers University, focusing on law, technology, and governance.

Her work emphasizes using digital tools and collective intelligence to improve government transparency, citizen participation, and policy-making. She has authored multiple books including "Wiki Government" and "The Intelligent Citizen," which explore how technology can democratize expertise and governance. Noveck's research and advocacy have influenced open data movements, civic tech ecosystems, and international governance reform, making her a central figure in the intersection of law, technology, and democratic innovation.

Beth Simone Noveck is a legal scholar and civic technologist who served as the first U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer under President Obama. She founded the White House Open Government Initiative and the Peer-to-Patent project, pioneering crowdsourced approaches to governance. Her work at NYU and Rutgers has shaped contemporary thinking on technology, law, and democratic participation.

Last updated 31 August 2026