Arvind Narayanan, an accomplished computer scientist, has assumed the position of director at Princeton University’s Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP), a collaborative platform between the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.
A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology, Narayanan is renowned for his innovative teaching and research methods, particularly in the fields of fairness in algorithms, cryptocurrencies and blockchains, and advanced privacy technologies, according to a press release.
Since joining CITP in 2012, Narayanan, an expert in tech privacy, has been actively involved in various initiatives, such as the Princeton Web Transparency and Accountability Project, aimed at shedding light on data collection and usage practices of companies. His investigations have played a crucial role in exposing surveillance issues related to smart TVs.
In addition to winning numerous awards and grants, including from the National Science Foundation, Narayanan launched a symposium titled “Optimizing for What? Algorithmic Amplification and Society” during his sabbatical as a visiting researcher at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. The symposium aimed to demystify recommendation algorithms and their societal impacts.
Expressing his excitement about the appointment, Narayanan acknowledged his indebtedness to CITP and looked forward to guiding the center and supporting and mentoring emerging scholars.
Princeton sociology professor Matthew Salganik, who previously served as CITP director, praised Narayanan’s leadership, noting his ability to address complex problems and advocate for important causes.
Established in 2005, the CITP at Princeton University brings together technologists, academics, research fellows, and scholars from various disciplines to explore the societal consequences of digital technologies.
