Joshua M. Pearce is a pioneering engineer, scientist, and thought leader whose career has been defined by a singular commitment: advancing a just, sustainable world through open innovation. His work bridges the worlds of renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, open source hardware, and global development, and he has become internationally recognized for transforming how technology is designed, shared, and deployed. With a career spanning decades and continents—and a body of work that includes hundreds of publications, keynote addresses, government advisory engagements, and groundbreaking research collaborations—Pearce stands as one of the most influential voices at the intersection of sustainability and technological democratization.
Today, Joshua serves as the John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation at Western University, where he leads high-impact research in solar photovoltaics, open hardware, and sustainable systems engineering. He is also a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, a distinction reserved for leaders whose engineering contributions have demonstrably advanced society. In this role, he helps shape national dialogue on energy policy, decarbonization strategies, and the role of open knowledge ecosystems in accelerating technology adoption.
Joshua’s technical expertise is rooted in electronic device physics and the materials science of solar photovoltaic technologies. After earning his PhD in Materials Engineering from Penn State University, he devoted his early research career to the fundamental physics of thin-film solar cells and the optical and structural behavior of advanced semiconductor materials. His work has consistently accelerated progress in solar energy efficiency, cost reduction, manufacturing productivity, and large-scale renewable energy deployment. Throughout his career, he has consulted extensively for government agencies, nonprofits, and private-sector organizations seeking to expand their renewable energy portfolios or evaluate strategic investment in clean technology.
Yet Pearce’s impact extends far beyond traditional solar research. He is widely credited as one of the global founders of the open source hardware movement in science, helping launch a revolution in how laboratories design and build equipment. Through the development and dissemination of freely accessible scientific hardware designs, he has enabled researchers, hospitals, educators, and innovators—especially in low-resource regions—to dramatically reduce the cost of high-quality equipment. His vision of distributed digital manufacturing, powered by low-cost 3-D printers and openly shared designs, continues to influence global makerspaces and engineering communities.
As a researcher at the forefront of technology-driven sustainability, Joshua has also advanced the field of Distributed Recycling and Additive Manufacturing (DRAM), a model that transforms locally collected plastic waste into valuable products using open source tools. His work has supported remote communities, humanitarian engineering initiatives, and circular economy efforts worldwide. Through his advocacy and research, Pearce demonstrates how open knowledge can serve as a powerful mechanism for environmental stewardship, economic empowerment, and resilient infrastructure.
In addition to his work at Western University, Joshua has served as a Visiting Professor of Photovoltaics and Nanoengineering at Aalto University in Finland, and a Visiting Professor at ENSGSI, France’s national school for systems innovation. His academic career spans positions at Michigan Technological University, Queen’s University, and PennWest Clarion, where he established and led programs in applied sustainability, nanotechnology, and renewable energy. Across these institutions, he has mentored hundreds of students and early-career researchers, many of whom now work as leaders in academia, industry, and government.
Joshua’s scholarly output is among the most prolific of any engineer working today. His publications include peer-reviewed articles in physics, engineering, sustainability science, solar materials, digital manufacturing, intellectual property, and science policy. He has authored widely circulated opinion pieces, public science commentaries, and accessible STEM articles for major media platforms and science communication outlets. His work has been republished internationally in outlets such as Scientific American, The Conversation, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and many others. Across this body of work, his message is clear: knowledge grows in value when it is shared, and the future of sustainable technology is open.
Throughout his career, Pearce has been a strong champion of equitable access to technology, working with governments, United Nations agencies, and global research networks. He has contributed to UN initiatives on open source technologies for sustainable development and provided expert commentary for industry groups, regulatory bodies, and international think tanks. Whether discussing decarbonization strategies, global food resilience, or the future of micro-manufacturing, he brings a systems-level perspective and a pragmatic focus on scalable, real-world solutions.
His commitment to education and community engagement is equally pronounced. Joshua has delivered hundreds of presentations—from keynote speeches at global conferences to outreach lectures for K–12 students—demonstrating a belief that scientific knowledge must transcend the boundaries of academia. Whether speaking about solar energy in a public forum, teaching refugee communities 3-D printing skills, or advising startups on the economics of open hardware, he is driven by the conviction that innovation must be accessible to all.
Today, Joshua continues shaping the future of sustainable engineering through his leadership of the Free Appropriate Sustainability Technology (FAST) Lab, where multidisciplinary teams explore agrivoltaics, open source medical devices, sustainable agriculture, advanced solar technologies, and breakthrough approaches to the circular economy. His research group works with international collaborators to rethink how communities can produce energy, food, medical tools, and essential infrastructure using open, transparent, and socially equitable methods.
His career is ultimately defined by impact—measured not just in citations or awards, but in accessible technologies, empowered communities, open knowledge infrastructures, and the countless engineers and innovators inspired by his work. His legacy is one of relentless curiosity, practical innovation, and a deep moral commitment to human flourishing on a sustainable planet.
Character:
Joshua Pearce exemplifies integrity through his unwavering commitment to open knowledge, equitable access, and sustainable development. He consistently prioritizes societal benefit over personal gain, demonstrating a values-driven approach to leadership and innovation. His actions reflect a belief that technology should empower people and strengthen communities across the globe.
Knowledge:
His expertise spans renewable energy, materials science, open hardware, digital manufacturing, and sustainability policy, enabling him to solve complex, interdisciplinary challenges. He integrates scientific rigor with practical application, advancing both fundamental research and deployable solutions. His extensive publication record and global collaborations highlight his status as a leading authority in multiple technical fields.
Strategic:
He approaches innovation with a systems-level mindset, identifying leverage points that accelerate adoption, reduce cost, and maximize societal impact. His strategic leadership has guided major research initiatives, informed national policy conversations, and shaped global thinking on sustainable technology. Whether in academia, industry, or international development, he builds frameworks that enable long-term resilience and broad-scale transformation.
Communication:
An articulate and influential communicator who excels in translating complex engineering concepts into accessible insights for diverse audiences. His writing and speaking engagements reach global readers and listeners, amplifying the message of open and sustainable innovation. Through teaching, mentoring, public outreach, and media engagement, he inspires others to participate in building a more just and sustainable future.
