The mission of Burning Man Project’s Educational Program is to teach the philosophy, principles, and practice of Burning Man culture and experience around the world.
Burning Stories is a research project based at Aalto University in Finland about understanding the Burning Man community, how its participants identify as a part of it, and how a citizen of Black Rock City might influence surrounding society after the event. The team is Dr. Jukka-Pekka Heikkilä, Dr. Elina Koivisto, Dr. Frank Martela, Dr. Virva Salmivaara, Dr. Ewald Kibler, Dr. Terje Toomistu, and soon to be Dr. Emilia Lahti and Dr. Karoliina Jarenko. The techies are Peter Tapio and Hugi Asgeirsson, comms is Elien Blue Becque, and the artists are Mikko Heikinpoika, Kalle Oja, Vincent Lauenstein and Hilda Ruijs.
Heather Gallagher aka CameraGirl is a recovering corporate IT consultant with a Master's degree in Computer Science tucked under her rhinestone-studded belt. Heather first stepped foot onto the playa in 2000 and, in many ways, has not left it since. CameraGirl was born in 2001 as the Documentrix for the Center Camp Cafe and CampArctica, where she got hooked on Burning Man imagery, joined the web team and eventually became the Photo Editor for burningman.com. Since 2003, she has produced each of the Burning Man Wall Calendars. In early 2004, she began managing the Burning Man Technology Department.
Candace Locklear (aka Evil Pippi) helped form the Arts non-profit We Are From Dust (WAFD) with founder Yomi Ayeni, both former Media Mecca volunteers. WAFD is dedicating its time and resources to supporting BIPOC crews behind "Farmer the Rigger" and the Alebrijes art car by fundraising, volunteer coordination, promotion, and assisting with the build.
Evil Pippi has been attending Burning Man on and off since 1996, and has remained deeply connected to the staff and various organizations within the Burning Man community. She has been known to perform as both a Santa and a Klown—in the dust and the default world.
Carmen Mauk is passionate about creating platforms that encourage radical community participation. She is the co-founder and former director of Burners Without Borders, a program of Burning Man Project that creates participatory models for international disaster relief and community initiatives. She is also the founder of Burning Man Information Radio, BRC's community radio station. Carmen holds a Masters degree in Transformative Leadership from the California Institute for Integral Studies where she became an enthusiastic student of the art of creating community collaborations that bring about positive change.
Caveat is Burning Man's Philosopher Laureate. A founding member of its Philosophical Center, he is the author of The Scene That Became Cities: what Burning Man philosophy can teach us about building better communities, and Turn Your Life Into Art: lessons in Psychologic from the San Francisco Underground. He has also written several books which have nothing to do with Burning Man. He has finally got his email address caveat (at) burningman (dot) org working again. He tweets, occasionally, as @BenjaminWachs
The Census Lab is a volunteer team of information geeks, academic researchers, students, and general data nerds who have surveyed Black Rock City (BRC) residents since 2002.
Charlie Dolman (aka Louder Charlie) oversees event operations in Black Rock City, including Emergency Services, Gate-Perimeter-Exodus, the Black Rock Rangers, BRC Department of Public Works, Community Services, the Cafe and Ice services, the Department of Mutant Vehicles, and on-the-ground Art operations. He also oversees the Special Recreation Permit Burning Man holds with the U.S. Federal Government during the event season. As part of this role, Charlie sits on the Black Rock City Operations Management Board, the Budget Committee and the Executive Committee. He also chairs the Event Operations Team and Event Leadership Team meetings.
Chayna Girling is a photographer and blogger well-known for covering the San Francisco Bay Area underground.