Michael Baran, Ph.D.
Senior Partner & Digital Solutions Lead
Michael drives organizations toward innovative, evidence-based solutions by drawing on a deep understanding of culture, cognition, identity and communication.
Drawing on more than twenty years of experience from his own cultural anthropology research, he is a wealth of knowledge regarding the social science behind diversity, equity, and inclusion, and uses his findings and insights to create real change for organizations.
As a Senior Partner at inQUEST, Michael brings his unique perspective to his speaking engagements, writings on critical DEI topics, consulting, leadership development and workshop facilitation. As Digital Solutions Lead, he ensures best practices are incorporated into scalable digital products that incorporate cutting edge social science and real scenarios, while engaging users. He customizes sustainable change management plans for organizations that integrate the best of in-person and scalable digital platforms.
“I use my social science background to build deep understanding on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues—to get people excited and invested in solutions that really work. That’s how we create sustainable culture change.”
In addition to his inQUEST work, he has taught courses on race and identity, Latin America, child development, and research methodology at Harvard University and the University of Michigan. He has worked as Associate Director at the FrameWorks Institute and Principal Researcher at the American Institutes of Research, conducting ethnographic research to inform strategic framing and culturally competent campaigns around a variety of pressing social issues.
Michael received his B.A. from Emory University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in cultural anthropology with a certificate in Culture and Cognition from the University of Michigan. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.
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