Richard K. Lester (born January 3, 1954, in Leeds, England) is an American nuclear engineer, educator, and author.
[2] First at the Rockefeller Foundation and later as a member of the MIT faculty, Lester developed a number of projects focusing on the management and international control of nuclear technology.
Under his leadership, the department implemented its ‘Science-Systems-Society’ educational triad, which calls for the faculty to work with students to develop their knowledge and capabilities in each of these three intellectual domains.
He also encouraged faculty, students, and outside investors to consider the opportunities for new business formation around innovative nuclear technologies, and several notable startups emerged from the department during this period.
[9] Lester serves as an advisor or consultant to corporations, governments, and private foundations and non-profit groups, and lectures frequently to academic, business and general audiences around the world.
He recently completed a term as chair of the National Academies’ Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy.