Susan P. Crawford

Susan P. Crawford is a prominent legal scholar and professor at Harvard Law School specializing in telecommunications and technology policy. She has served in notable roles including Special Assistant for Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy during the Obama administration and as a board member of ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). Crawford's academic work focuses on telecommunications policy, internet governance, and digital infrastructure. She has authored influential books including "Captive Audience: The Telecom Industry and Monopoly Power in the New Gilded Age" and "Fiber: The Coming Tech Revolution—and Why America Might Miss It." A Yale graduate with degrees in both law and liberal arts, Crawford bridges academic expertise with public policy advocacy. She contributes regularly to WIRED as a columnist and founded OneWebDay, an annual celebration of online connectivity and internet culture. Her professional experience spans private practice at Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, teaching positions at multiple prestigious law schools, and advisory roles in technology policy. Currently serving as the John A. Reilly Clinical Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, Crawford continues to shape discussions around digital access and telecommunications regulation.

Readers view Crawford as a detailed researcher who explains complex telecommunications policy issues for general audiences. Her work attracts readers interested in technology policy, digital rights, and infrastructure. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of technical concepts - Well-researched examples and case studies - Strong policy recommendations backed by data - Thorough analysis of telecom industry practices What readers disliked: - Some found her writing style repetitive - Arguments can be one-sided against telecom companies - Policy solutions sometimes viewed as unrealistic - Technical details overwhelming for casual readers Ratings across platforms: - Captive Audience: 4.0/5 on Goodreads (500+ ratings), 4.4/5 on Amazon (100+ reviews) - Fiber: 4.2/5 on Goodreads (300+ ratings), 4.5/5 on Amazon (80+ reviews) Common reader feedback highlights Crawford's "thorough research" and "accessible explanations" while critics note her "bias against major telecom providers" and "oversimplified solutions to complex problems."

Captive Audience: The Telecom Industry and Monopoly Power in the New Gilded Age (2013) An examination of how telecommunications companies have created regional monopolies in the United States and the implications for consumers and competition.

Fiber: The Coming Tech Revolution—and Why America Might Miss It (2018) A detailed analysis of fiber optic infrastructure in the United States compared to other countries, exploring the technical, political, and economic factors affecting high-speed internet deployment.

The Responsive City: Engaging Communities Through Data-Smart Governance (2014) An exploration of how cities can use data and technology to improve government services and citizen engagement.

PLI's Telecommunications Law Answer Book (2014) A comprehensive reference guide covering telecommunications law and regulatory frameworks in the United States.

Tim Wu A legal scholar who writes about technology policy, competition, and digital platforms. His works like "The Master Switch" and "The Curse of Bigness" examine telecommunications and tech monopolies through a historical lens.

Lawrence Lessig His focus on internet law, copyright reform, and digital democracy aligns with Crawford's work on tech policy. Lessig's books "Code" and "Free Culture" explore how legal frameworks shape technological development.

Barbara van Schewick She writes extensively about network neutrality and internet architecture from both technical and policy perspectives. Her work "Internet Architecture and Innovation" examines how design choices in networks affect economic outcomes.

Yochai Benkler His research covers network theory, commons-based production, and digital communication infrastructure. Benkler's "The Wealth of Networks" analyzes how digital technologies transform markets and social production.

Jonathan Zittrain His scholarship addresses internet governance, cybersecurity, and the future of digital networks. Zittrain's "The Future of the Internet--And How to Stop It" examines the evolution of digital platforms and their regulation.