Empowering Innovation, Impacting Society

The past decade has witnessed an unprecedented expansion in both the scope and complexity of computational systems that society relies upon. This growth has given rise to a myriad of new and challenging societal, management, and policy issues, which in turn often necessitate innovative technological solutions. These challenges span a wide spectrum, including privacy rights management, data security, electronic market mechanisms, automated negotiation, dynamic network modeling, online dispute resolution, and platform-based product ecosystems.

Drawing on the world-class resources of Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science, our PhD program in Societal Computing prepares researchers who can navigate both computation and its intricate interplay with managerial, personal, and policy networks. Traditional degree programs in computer science, policy, and management often fall short in providing the multidisciplinary curriculum needed to train tomorrow's leaders in these emerging areas. As the demand for integrated expertise continues to outpace supply, our program provides students with the computational foundations and interdisciplinary perspective needed to advance research at this critical intersection.

While computer science researchers are increasingly called upon to address or integrate social, economic, or legal dimensions into emerging technologies, conventional doctoral programs often focus solely on technical aspects. The PhD program in Societal Computing at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science addresses this need through a rigorous computer science foundation enhanced by cross-disciplinary perspectives. Our program prepares computer scientists to understand the broader context in which computation operates and to create technology from this more comprehensive vantage point.

Our goal is to prepare students to become leading researchers at the intersection of computer science and society. The program provides students with in-depth training not only in computation but also in the fundamentals of analyzing networks of people and organizations, and their integration into management, law, and policy. Building on a multidisciplinary team of world-class faculty, our PhD program exposes students to traditional tenets of computer science interwoven with interdisciplinary coursework, hands-on applications, and cutting-edge research.

From cybersecurity and privacy to complex socio-technical systems and policy analytics, our students engage with a broad range of research areas. This interdisciplinary approach allows them to develop innovative solutions that address large-scale societal challenges. By fostering a holistic understanding of the relationship between technology and society, we equip our graduates with the tools to shape the future of digital innovation responsibly and ethically.