Who is Soumitra Dutta?
Soumitra Dutta is an Indian born expert on technology and innovation in the digital
economy and the first dean at a top American business school to be appointed from
outside the US. Soumitra Dutta brings a truly global perspective to the table having lived
and worked in Europe, the United States and India. From 2006 to 2009, he oversaw global
operations
for INSEAD as
dean
of
external
relations,
helping
to
develop business education in many of the emerging economies, like India, China, and
Brazil. After 20 years at INSEAD he has taken up the top spot at Cornells Johnson School
which he sees as an encouraging sign that America is beginning to develop a more
international perspective.
His work often appears in leading journals such as the Harvard Business Review,
European Management Journal and Management science. His work has been profiled in
magazines and newspapers like Chief Executive Magazine, Forbes, and
The McKinsey Quarterly.
EARLY LIFE & EDUCATION
•
Born in India, Soumitra Dutta studied at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Delhi, graduating with a B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
(1985).
•
He pursued graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, earning
both an M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science.
ACADEMIC & LEADERSHIP ROLES OF SOUMITRA D UTTA
•
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford (2022–2025): Served as Dean,
overseeing strategic initiatives in innovation, digital readiness, and global
partnerships.
•
Cornell University (2012–2018): Founding Dean of the SC Johnson College of
Business, where he unified three schools into one of the largest business
colleges in the U.S.
•
INSEAD (1990–2012): Held the Roland Berger Chair in Business and Technology;
also served as Dean of External Relations, expanding INSEAD’s global presence
in emerging economies.
CONTRIBUTIONS & INFLUENCE
•
Global Innovation Index: Co-author of this influential annual report, used by
policymakers and business leaders worldwide to benchmark innovation
performance.
•
Thought Leadership: A leading authority on digital transformation, technology
policy, and the role of AI in education and business.
•
Global Perspective: Has lived and worked across Europe, the U.S., and Asia,
bringing an international outlook to business education.
RECOGNITION
•
First non-U.S. academic appointed as Dean of a major American business
school.
•
Frequently invited to speak at global forums on innovation, entrepreneurship,
and the future of higher education.