Manuj Dhariwal

Manuj Dhariwal is a Ph.D. student at the MIT Media Lab, affiliated with the Lifelong Kindergarten Research Group, known for creating the Scratch creative coding environment with a vast global impact.

His academic journey includes a master's degree in Computer Science from MIT, where he also worked in early childhood cognition within the Department of Brain and Cognitive Science. Prior to his ventures at MIT, he established a board game design company, specializing in games for language learning and aiding neurodiverse children like those with Autism.

During his time with the game design company, Manuj developed a highly acclaimed Indian language word-building game called AKSHARIT, which gained significant recognition and adoption among families and schools in India. The effort led to his acknowledgment as one of the Top Ten Indian Innovators by the science and technology board of the Government of India.

Apart from his professional pursuits, Manuj Dhariwal is an avid practitioner of Yoga and Vipassana meditation, using these practices to manage Tourette's and guide his daily life towards a more centered existence. He is enthusiastic about empowering young individuals to lead more holistic lives and has spearheaded mindfulness and meditation initiatives at MIT and beyond.