Willis Harman
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Willis Harman was President of the Institute of Noetic Sciences in California. The Institute is a nonprofit research and educational organization founded in 1973. Its purpose is to expand knowledge of the nature and potentials of the mind, and apply that knowledge to the advancement of health and well-being for humankind and the planet.
For 16 years prior to assuming that post, he was a Senior Social Scientist at SRI International. He initiated a program on futures research, exploring the national and global future. In this capacity he worked on long-term strategic planning and policy analysis for an assortment of corporations, government agencies, and international organizations. Harman was also emeritus professor of Engineering-Economic Systems at Stanford University and a member of the Board of Regents of the University of California.
Harman received a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington and an MS in Physics and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. He taught for several years at the University of Florida before joining the Stanford faculty in 1952. He was a Fulbright lecturer on statistical communication theory at the Royal Technical University.
Dr. Harman was the author of numerous texts and papers in various aspects of electrical and systems engineering, futures research, social policy and analysis, and the current societal transition. Dr. Harman died January 30, 1997 survived by his wife of fifty-plus years, Charlene, daughters Mary, Susan, Billie and son Dean, plus grandchildren.
Dr. Harman inspired the International Spirit at Work Awards http://www.spiritatwork.org/awards/willisharman/2006isaw.htm which are given to companies that demonstrate the values he advocated. Since they were inaugurated in 2002, several companies each year are honored with the award in an annual event. Dr. Harman's commitment to raising consciousness in business was no more evident than his being the founding visionary of the World Business Academy, serving on its board of directors until he discovered his illness in late 1996.
Dr. Harman is author or co-author of a number of books, including: New Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Science (1994), Creative Work (1990), Global Mind Change (1988), Paths to Peace (1987), Higher Creativity (1984), Changing Images of Man (1982), and An Incomplete Guide to the Future (1976).
