Anthony Townsend is a Research Director at the Institute for the Future as a Research Director, and a contributor to the IFTF's long- range technological forecasting programs.

Prior to joining IFTF, Anthony enjoyed a brief but productive career in academia, where his research focused on the role of telecommunications in urban development and design. Between 2000 and 2004 he taught courses in geographic information systems, telematics, and urban design in two graduate schools at New York University: the Interactive Telecommunications Program in the Tisch School of the Arts, and the Urban Planning Program in the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. During this period, he directed several major research projects funded by the National Science Foundation and Department of Homeland Security.

Anthony has been a key organizer in the wireless community networking movement since 2001. He is a co-founder and advisory board member of NYCwireless, a nonprofit organization that promote community broadband initiatives using unlicensed wireless spectrum. From 2002 to 2004 he was a principal of Emenity, a successful startup company that built and manages public local wireless networks in public spaces in Lower Manhattan.

Anthony's work continues to develop an international focus. He has lectured and consulted throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. He lived in Korea during the summer of 2004 as a Fulbright scholar, investigating social implications of that nation's rapid development of broadband technology.

Anthony holds a Ph.D. in urban and regional planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master's in urban planning from New York University, and a B.A. from Rutgers University.