Naser Faruqui, an environmental engineer and water specialist, is the Director of Technology and Innovation at IDRC where he leads a global team that helps developing countries use science, technology, and innovation for sustainable and equitable development. His areas of expertise include science and innovation systems in developing countries; science diplomacy; innovation, trade, and growth, open models of development, international knowledge networks, and open access to research outputs, and urbanization. Faruqui directs research on the impacts of widespread access to cellphones and the Internet in developing countries, and the opportunities for open governance, education, business, and science. He also oversees projects like the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences’ Next Einstein Initiative, and IDRC’s partnerships with Canada’s science granting councils. Faruqui was named one of the top 14 young water specialists in the world by a group of internationally respected water organizations. He has published widely, most recently on science and innovation.