Catarina Mota Biography

TEDGlobal Fellow Catarina Mota is a maker and open-source advocate and the founder and executive director of Open Building Institute an open source collaborative that focuses on developing low-cost and rapidly-built structures that are modular, ecological, and energy efficient.

Mota also co-founded Open Materials (do-it-yourself smart materials), Everywhere Tech (open source technology transfer), and AltLab (Lisbon's hackerspace).

She encourages the making of things using smart materials: ink that conducts electricity; a window that turns from clear to opaque at the flip of a switch; a jelly that makes music.

Mota teaches hands-on workshops on high-tech materials and simple circuitry with the goal of encouraging people with little to no science background to take a proactive interest in science, technology, and knowledge-sharing.

Previously, she co-chaired the Open Hardware Summit 2012, served on the board of directors of the Open Source Hardware Association, taught as an adjunct faculty member at ITP-NYU, and was a fellow of the National Science and Technology Foundation of Portugal.

Mota holds a Ph.D. in communication sciences and her research work focuses on the social impact of open and collaborative practices for the development of technologies. She is a founding member the Open Source Hardware Association and a TED fellow.

As a renowned expert and highly sought-after speaker, Catarina Mota's expertise is in high demand. To book Catarina Mota for your next event, conference, or workshop, please contact our speaker booking agency. Our experienced team will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and help secure Catarina Mota's participation. With our professional guidance and seamless booking process, you can ensure a memorable and impactful experience for your audience. Don't miss the opportunity to engage your audience with Catarina Mota's compelling insights and inspire positive change within your organization. Fill out the booking request form to take the first step in securing Catarina Mota for your next speaking engagement.