Brian Hedden, PhD ’12, has been appointed as the co-associate dean of the Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), effective January 16, 2026. This initiative is part of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, which aims to address the ethical implications of computing technologies.
Background and Academic Credentials
Hedden is a professor in the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy and holds a shared position with the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS). He joined MIT from the Australian National University and the University of Sydney, where he previously served as a faculty member. He earned his BA from Princeton University and his PhD from MIT, both in philosophy.
Focus and Expertise
According to Dan Huttenlocher, dean of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, Hedden is a fitting choice for SERC due to his philosophical expertise that directly addresses contemporary challenges in computing and artificial intelligence (AI). His research emphasizes epistemology, decision theory, and ethics, particularly in the context of AI and information abundance.
Role and Responsibilities
In his new role, Hedden will collaborate with co-associate dean Nikos Trichakis, the J.C. Penney Professor of Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Together, they will lead SERC and enhance its research, teaching, and engagement initiatives. Hedden succeeds Caspar Hare, who completed a three-year term on September 1, 2025.
SERC Initiatives and Programs
Since its establishment in 2020, SERC has developed various programs aimed at fostering responsible practices among those involved in computing technologies. The SERC Scholars Program allows students to work with postdoctoral mentors on interdisciplinary ethical challenges. Additionally, SERC hosts an annual prize competition for students to envision future computing scenarios and publishes a series of case studies. In 2024, SERC launched a seed grant program to support research in ethical technology development, awarding grants to 24 projects to date.
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