Technology and the Public Interest

Books, essays, and commentary from John Palfrey

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Books

Wired Wisdom

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The Connected Parent

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Born Digital

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Commentary from John Palfrey

  • Recent books I’ve learned from (Fall 2020)

    In my previous job (at Andover), I created a list of a few books every term that we would offer to the faculty as “community reads” on what we called the Head of School’s Bookshelf. We set up a bookshelf in the HOS office and distributed as many copies as faculty would like to read.…

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  • New book coming out: The Connected Parent

    With my friend and collaborator Urs Gasser, I have a new book coming out this fall — The Connected Parent: An Expert Guide to Parenting in a Digital World. It’s a close cousin of our previous book, Born Digital: How Children Grow Up in a Digital Age.  In this new book, we apply the findings…

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  • Thirtieth Anniversary of Andover’s GSA and Trans Rights

    This weekend, the Andover community celebrates the thirtieth annual weekend gathering of the Gender-Sexuality Alliance (G.S.A.).  This important milestone merits attention and reflection.  The G.S.A. has played a central role in supporting students (and adults, for that matter) of all genders and sexualities on campus at Andover. This week also marks the publication by the…

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  • Remarks at Richard T. Greener Quadrangle Dedication

    Richard T. Greener Quadrangle dedication September 29, 2018 John Palfrey, Head of School, Phillips Academy Welcome students and parents, faculty and staff, trustees and alumni to the Richard T. Greener Quadrangle. Thank you, Linda Carter Griffith, for blazing your own trail as the first Assistant Head of School for Equity, Inclusion and Wellness—not only at…

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  • Start of School 2018

    The New York Times published a terrific Magazine this Sunday on education.  The cover reads: “Teachers just want to teach but the classroom has become a battleground.”  I’m not sure that’s exactly “news” this fall but it is absolutely true. Two of the articles in particular were worth reading and reflecting on as we start…

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  • Celebration of AfLatAm@50 at Phillips Academy

    John Palfrey Opening Remarks – Celebration of AfLatAm@50 April, 2018 Good evening.  Let me please begin by thanking Emily Ndiokho, Class of 2018, for her leadership tonight in MC-ing this event and also for her leadership throughout her time at Andover.  As president of AfLatAm this year — in fact, the 50th president of AfLatAm…

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  • Head of School Bookshelf, 2017-2018

    Each term as head of school at Phillips Academy, I’ve put out a series of books for the faculty to enjoy.  Colleagues are free to keep the books, pass them along to others, or bring them back to the bookshelf in the head of school’s office.  I choose titles that relate in one way or…

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  • School heads stand in solidarity, call for action against gun violence

    Gun violence must be addressed urgently. I can think of no topic more worthy of our nation’s leaders’ time and focus. Today, I join with fellow heads of school comprising the Eight Schools Association in support of the following statement: We, the heads of independent secondary schools comprising the Eight Schools Association, stand in solidarity with our students and…

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  • January 12 Community Letter

    Today, I wrote to the Andover community with an update on new and ongoing initiatives to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. My full message can be read online.

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  • “Knowledge and Goodness: The Andover Campaign” launch speech

    John Palfrey Remarks at Capital Campaign Launch Andover, MA September 2017 Thank you, Dana Delany, for your kind introduction and for everything you’ve done for Andover over the years. I also want to thank Peter Currie and the board of trustees for their leadership. Most of all, I am grateful to all of you.  Thank…

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  • Opening All School Meeting, Phillips Academy, 2017-2018

    All-School Meeting John Palfrey, Head of School, Phillips Academy September 13, 2017 Good morning, Andover!  I am psyched to see you all here. The main point of this All School Meeting is simply for us to gather, in one space, to celebrate the start of the year.  It’s a great chance to acknowledge the special…

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  • Start-of-School Message for our 240th Year at Andover

    Dear Phillips Academy students: That school-is-about-to-start feeling is upon us. There are a few summer days left to enjoy, Labor Day weekend still to look forward to, and all the excitement of early fall just around the corner. I write in part just to say that I’m thinking of all of you and excited to…

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