Bio

I am a civil rights lawyer, educator, and social innovator dedicated to advancing equality and justice in America. As the Chief Difference Engineer of The Difference Engine at Arizona State University, I work alongside brilliant students and faculty to develop practical solutions to some of our nation's most pressing challenges around inequality.

My journey began as a child refugee fleeing war, shaping my lifelong commitment to protecting civil rights and serving vulnerable communities. This commitment has guided my career across multiple sectors - from government service to academia, from legal advocacy to social entrepreneurship.

For a decade, I served as Senior Advisor on Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where I advised the Secretary and senior leadership on civil rights implications of national security policies. My work included implementing international human rights treaties, addressing hate crimes, overseeing immigration detention programs, and building community resilience in the wake of national tragedies - from the Boston Marathon bombing to the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

As an innovator in legal services, I founded the Los Angeles Mobile Legal Aid Clinic (LAMLAC), pioneering a mobile delivery model for legal care that has since been replicated across California and nationwide. This work stemmed from my belief that justice should be accessible to all, regardless of location or economic status.

In academia, I hold faculty positions at Arizona State University's School of Social Transformation and Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. I've taught over 100 courses on civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy, with particular emphasis on economic insecurity issues. My book, "Understanding Homeland Security: Foundations of Security Policy" (Routledge Press, 2019), explores the intersection of security policy and civil rights.

Currently, at The Difference Engine, we're building a new model to combat inequality nationwide. Under my leadership, we've raised millions in support, launched innovative programs like the Distinguished Innovation Fellows, and created the Women's Power & Influence Index - the most comprehensive measure of workplace fairness in the country.

I serve on several boards, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of California, Team Rubicon, and The Non Profit Partnership in Long Beach, where I currently reside. I am also proud to serve on a local school board in Los Angeles, and am a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Chatham House, and the Pacific Council on International Policy. My contributions to public service have been recognized with the U.S. State Department's Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Diplomacy and the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Award for Excellence.

As a columnist for U.S. News & World Report, contributor to The Huffington Post and CNN, I regularly write about inequality and civil rights issues. I also host "UnfairNation", a podcast exploring power, inequality, and civil justice in America.

My work continues to be driven by a simple belief: that by engineering practical solutions to inequality, we can build a more just and equitable society for all Americans.

For speaking engagements, media inquiries, or collaboration opportunities, please contact me at ehsan.zaffar@asu.edu