Edward Felten
Robert E. Kahn Professor of Computer Science and Public Affairs
Director of the Center of Information Technology Policy
Associate Director of the Program in Technology and Society
Office: 302 Sherrerd Hall
Phone: 609-258-5906
Interdisciplinary Research Area: Data Science, Robotics and Cyberphysical Systems, Security and Privacy
Research Area: Computer security and privacy, and technology policy; electronic voting; security of laptop computers; issues related to anti-copying technology and online copyright issues
Areas of Impact
Data Science
Data science accelerates discovery across nearly all areas of science, engineering, and social science. Students and faculty in this area create new data-analysis techniques and harness advanced computing and storage systems to solve problems in biology, the environment, materials science, communications, security, transportation, and many other areas.
Public Policy
To be effective in solving critical societal problems, engineers must often work beyond purely technological domains and engage closely with policymakers. Several engineering faculty members are appointed jointly with the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and many others engage broadly on problems tied to policy. The Center for Information Technology Policy is a joint venture of the engineering school and the Wilson school.
Security and Privacy
As digital systems play critical roles in nearly every aspect of society, their security and the privacy of their data become increasingly important. The Center for Information Technology Policy serves as a focal point for much of this work. In addition, engineers are uniquely positioned to improve broader areas of security in the face of natural hazards and other threats.
Primary affiliation
Center for Information Technology Policy
The Center for Information Technology Policy uses Princeton’s unique strengths to promote an informed public discussion of digital technologies. Combining faculty expertise in technology and engineering, public policy, and the social sciences with a strong University tradition of service, the Center’s research, teaching, and public programs address digital technologies as they interact with policy, markets, and society. The center is a joint initiative of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
Computer Science
Princeton has been at the forefront of computing since Alan Turing, Alonzo Church, and John von Neumann were among its residents. The department, now in a period of major growth, has strong groups in artificial intelligence and machine learning, theory, programming languages, graphics and vision, systems and networking, computer architecture, computational biology and neuroscience, security, privacy, and information technology policy.
Woodrow Wilson School
At the crossroads of scholarship and governance, the Woodrow Wilson School is a major center of education and research in public and international affairs. Woodrow Wilson School graduates are leaders in public, nonprofit and private sectors around the globe — living examples of the University’s unofficial motto, “Princeton in the Nation’s Service and the Service of Humanity.”
