Ryan Burns

MAGIC: Mixed-methods research, AI and tech policy, GIS and spatial data science, Intelligent program management, Curriculum design

Founder and Director, MAGIC Consultants (6/2015-present)

• Founder and director of MAGIC Consultants (Mixed-methods research, AI and tech policy, GIS and spatial data science, Intelligent program management, Curriculum design)
• Managed large teams conducting urban technology research, managing a budget of $2+ million to advance transformative technology policy, improve public sector data practices, and support communities. 
• Co-chaired the Data Hubs Task Force for Alberta’s Non-profit Data Strategy & led the City of Calgary’s open data transformation initiative, increasing data availability and data reliability.
• Founded & directed the YYC Data Collective, a CKAN & ArcGIS Online platform, enabling civil society groups to share & analyze critical data resources. Ensured highest security and reliability standards.

Associate Professor (GIS Program Manager: Data/base Management, Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management), University of Calgary (8/2016-8/2025)

• Taught "Advanced GIS" using ArcGIS Pro/Enterprise, "Web Mapping and Internet GIS" with APIs and web services via JavaScript and Git/Github, "AI for Public Health", and SQL and PostgreSQL spatial database design and integration with ETL, mentoring 15+ graduate students.

AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow (Federal Grants and Partnership Lead), National Science Foundation, American Association for the Advancement of Science (9/2023-9/2024)

• Designed and implemented 4 new multi-million dollar federal AI grant programs, to direct research priorities and facilitate international research partnerships in the National AI Research Institutes. 
• Directed 25 Institutes and NSF project managers to emphasize AI transparency, ethical use, and new strategic alignment with national priorities.
• Organized high-profile events like NSF “Hill Day” in the Senate Office Building and the Summit for AI Leadership conference, forging relationships between AI Institute leadership, policymakers, and researchers. 

Teaching Professor (Curriculum Developer and GIS Instructor), Temple Univ (8/2015-8/2016)

• Delivered advanced GIS curriculum, equipping students with versatile industry and research-ready skills.
• Developed innovative courses to enhance the department’s new Professional Masters in GIS program. 

Research Assistant (Curriculum Developer & Web Developer), University of Washington (7/2009-6/2015)

• Developed web mapping and GIS data management platforms using web mapping and dashboard software for 3 middle school-level after-school programs across diverse socio-economic areas of Seattle.
• Participated in the Data Science for Social Good Program, creating a dashboard for community well-being.
• Regularly processed and analyzed large amounts of data in reports and maps as a cross-departmental consultant.

Research Associate, Commons Lab, Woodrow Wilson Int’l Center for Scholars (7/2012-7/2013)

• Organized cross-agency federal policy workshops on AI and data governance for emergency management work. 
• Researched and wrote federal-level policy papers and scholarly articles on federal technology policy.

PhD, Geography (2015), University of Washington

MSc, Geographic Information Science (2009), San Diego State University

BA (magna cum laude), Geography (Honors Program)(2006), Eastern Kentucky University