Frank White
Space Philosopher, author of The Overview Effect
Frank White’s Theory of the Overview Effect has helped provide astronauts with concepts and language to articulate the profound shift in worldview they experience when viewing the Earth from space and in space. Now, much of the world has adopted this framework in describing our innate interconnectedness. His book, The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution, is considered by many to be a seminal work in the field of space exploration, making him one of the most influential space philosophers of our time.
Frank is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and a Rhodes Scholar. He earned his M.Phil. in Politics from Oxford University.
Frank is the author or coauthor of 10 books on topics ranging from space exploration to climate change. His book, The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution, is now in its third edition, and is considered by many to be a seminal work in the field of space exploration and development. A film called “Overview,” based largely on his work, has had more than 7 million plays on Vimeo.
Frank is also a co-founder of the Overview Institute, a leading organization dedicated to analyzing the Overview Effect and disseminating its findings.
Frank worked for Harvard University for 17 years and now teaches at Harvard Extension School, Harvard Summer School, and in Boston University’s Metropolitan College.