ASU Outstanding Undergraduate is a trailblazer in climate action and technological innovation
ASU School for the Future of Innovation in Society fall 2024 outstanding undergraduate Lauren Richards in Orne Harbour, Antarctica. Photo by Rentao Granieri
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2024 graduates.
Lauren Richards, from Tampa, Florida, is a trailblazer at the intersection of science, technology, climate and society who is dedicated to working toward a sustainable and equitable future.
“Change doesn’t happen unless you force a break from the norm, which is uncomfortable and intimidating but worthwhile to pursue,” she said.
Richards has been named the fall 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate of the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, an academic unit of the College of Global Futures. She is graduating this December with an ASU Online Bachelor of Science in innovation in society from the College of Global Futures and Barrett, The Honors College.
Richards’ decade-long career in hospitality taught her that “circumstances aren’t always a direct determinant of the outcome.” She took inspiration from historical innovators like Nikola Tesla and Leonardo da Vinci, who embodied curiosity spirit across multiple scientific disciplines, were far ahead of their time and dared to innovate and create groundbreaking inventions.
“Though I am far from a Tesla or da Vinci, I recognize the power of innovation, technology, science and nontraditional thinking to enhance life, and I would like to make a difference through them,” Richards said.
Her journey has been rich with meaningful experiences, including participating in faculty-led research, a study abroad program and receiving multiple awards.
She has worked as a research assistant for the College of Global Futures under the mentorship of Beza Merid, assistant professor in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society. Her research focused on addressing the racial inequities in digital health technologies.
“(This) was one of the most meaningful experiences I ever had,” Richards said. “It has become crystal clear that societal issues will only continue to worsen unless we step in through intentional, creative and responsible technological, social design and policy.”
Breaking from the norm and challenging the status quo, hence, have become Richards’ North Star throughout her time at ASU.
Read more: ASU Online student encourages others to study abroad, take advantage of all ASU has to offer
Antarctica, particularly, was where her dreams set sail.
During her undergraduate program, Richards was selected as the first Gilman Scholar of Antarctica from ASU and was fully funded for her Antarctica’s study abroad program.
“After my first time in Antarctica, I understood the power of lived experience, and that simply telling someone a story is far less likely to inspire action toward change than immersing them in the magical places of the natural world and letting them form a connection with it for themselves,” she said.
This experience ignited her drive for climate action, leading her to launch the Living Earth Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to climate advocacy, along with colleagues she met during her time in Antarctica.
In 2023, Richards was named a Clinton Global Initiative Fellow for her entrepreneurial vision to address urgent global challenges. She delivered a speech about her nonprofit on stage with Chelsea Clinton, vice chair of the Clinton Foundation.
“It was the most surreal moment of my life,” she said.
Below, Richards shares reflections on her ASU journey and her post-graduation plans, which include continuing at ASU in the public interest technology accelerated master’s program.
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Lauren Richards receiving the 2023 Champion of the Future Award as Eusebio Scornavacca, director of the School for the Future of Innovation in Society at ASUs' College of Global Futures looks on.
Photo courtesy of Lauren Richards
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Lauren Richards stands at Hydrurga Rocks, Gerlache Strait in Antarctica in February.
Photo by Matthew Galambus
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Lauren Richards (second from left) speaks at the 2023 Clinton Global Initiative University Annual Meeting held at Vanderbilt University as Chelsea Clinton (far right), vice chair of the Clinton Foundation, and others look on.
Photo courtesy of Lauren Richards
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Lauren Richards does the polar plunge by the Wilhelmina Bay in Antarctica.
Photo by Rentao Granieri
Question: Why did you choose to attend ASU and pursue an accelerated master’s degree?
Answer: I chose to continue at ASU due to the faculty and ethos of the College of Global Futures. While the professors and instructors are all accomplished and have made significant contributions to their respective fields, they’re humble and eager to share their knowledge and elevate their students. Instead of teaching “by the book,” the School for the Future of Innovation in Society lights the book on fire and then provides the tools to build a better future. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had here, and I aspire to work alongside the innovators of the College of Global Futures in the coming years.
Q: What are you most proud of in your ASU career?
A: I am most proud of the example that I have been able to set for my daughter. She beams with pride when she speaks of her mom to her friends, and I can see that I have become a positive role model for her. I don’t think it gets much better than that.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: Dr. Nicole Mayberry offered a quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald to me in a holiday card while in Antarctica. She knew that I was doing a bit of soul-searching on the trip, and her suggestion had a profound and lasting impact on me. Thank you, Dr. Mayberry — for what it’s worth, I’m choosing to go for it.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: Don’t gain your sense of self-worth, confidence or respect from other people or how they perceive you. Gain it by being true to yourself, working hard, acting with integrity and doing what you love.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I would like to go into science and technology policy advisory. Also, a phenomenal network of really cool people has rallied behind the Living Earth Initiative. I am very excited to see the incredible things we can pull off.
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: Those who know me just laughed reading that question and are bracing themselves for my answer! The problems that keep me awake at night require much more than $40 million; honestly, money likely isn’t the solution to them.
But if I had $40 million to tackle one problem on our planet, it would be to eliminate embedded colonial ideologies. We are at a point in our history where we have the profound opportunity and ability to learn from our past mistakes and thoughtfully design a future where humanity, biodiversity and our planet can thrive in harmony. Unfortunately, the consequences of colonialism are very much alive and well across the globe and have become so deeply rooted in the framework of social reality that they impede our efforts to ascend injustice. The concept of dominion is the foundation for this way of thinking and refutes accountability by its very nature. It perpetuates self-centric mindsets that champion harm and make positive change a complicated task to achieve. I would leverage $40 million in the most impactful ways I could toward a future of global cohesion and equity.
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