ResearchAffiliated Centers & Institutes
The Department of Computer Science is connected to several research centers and institutes at Northwestern University.
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- Center for Advancing Safety of Machine Intelligence (CASMI)
- Center for Computer Science and Learning Sciences (CSLS)
- Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL)
- Center for Deep Learning (CDL)
- Center for Engineering Sustainability and Resilience (CESR)
- Center for Human-Computer Interaction + Design (HCI+D)
- Center for Optimization and Statistical Learning (OSL)
- Center for Robotics and Biosystems
- Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts
- Center for Ultra-scale Computing and Information Security (CUCIS)
- Institute for Data, Econometrics, Algorithms, and Learning (IDEAL)
- Northwestern Argonne Institute of Science and Engineering (NAISE)
- Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
- Northwestern Security & AI Lab (NSAIL)
- Northwestern University Transportation Center (NUTC)
Center for Advancing Safety of Machine Intelligence
The Center for Advancing Safety of Machine Intelligence (CASMI) is a collaboration with the UL Digital Intelligence Safety Research Institute, building a more secure and sustainable future for intelligent technologies. CASMI supports a growing network of investigators advancing the research vision of operationalizing safety in machine intelligence. The Northwestern director of CASMI is Kris Hammond.
Center for Computer Science and Learning Sciences (CSLS)
The Center for Computer Science and Learning Sciences fosters the exploration, dissemination, and application of research on learning and computation. Research focus areas of CSLS faculty include: computational modeling as a means to understand complex scientific phenomena; educational data mining; equity issues in computing; adaptive learning environments; and interaction design to support learning and mentoring. The center is co-directed by Michael Horn, Chris Riesbeck, and Uri Wilensky.
Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL)
The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling is dedicated to the creative use of technology to deepen learning. CCL develops computer-based modeling and simulation packages and materials to enable learners to explore, construct, and revise models across a wide variety of natural and social domains. The center is directed by Uri Wilensky.
Center for Deep Learning (CDL)
The Center for Deep Learning provides technical capacity and expertise for companies seeking to establish or improve access to artificial intelligence (AI). The center provides an open forum that brings together leading industry players, startups, and academia to address the challenges of AI. CDL is directed by Diego Klabjan.
Center for Engineering Sustainability and Resilience (CESR)
The Center for Engineering Sustainability and Resilience at Northwestern Engineering aims to tackle complex sustainability challenges like climate change, water quality, clean energy, and pollution through research and educational efforts that span multiple departments and disciplines. CESR is co-directed by Jennifer Dunn and William Miller.
Center for Human-Computer Interaction + Design (HCI+D)
The Center for Human-Computer Interaction + Design studies, designs, and develops the future of human and computer interaction at home, work, and play through interdisciplinary research in areas including better health, collaborative computing, data visualization, human-centered AI, inclusive computing, interactive computing, and revitalizing communities. HCI+D is co-directed by Elizabeth Gerber, Darren Gergle, and Bryan Pardo.
Center for Optimization and Statistical Learning (OSL)
The Center for Optimization and Statistical Learning integrates the following interconnected research areas to enable the creation of new AI systems: optimization methods and models; statistical and machine learning methods and models; applications in healthcare, energy systems, digital commerce, and more. OSL is directed by Jorge Nocedal.
Center for Robotics and Biosystems
The Center for Robotics and Biosystems focuses on the science and engineering of embodied intelligence and encompasses four general research themes: bio-inspiration, neuromechanics, and neuroscience; human-machine systems; swarm robotics and decentralized computation; and general autonomous robotics. The center is directed by Kevin Lynch.
Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts
The Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts pursues objects-based and objects-inspired scientific research to advance the role of science within art history, curatorial scholarship, archaeology, and conservation. The center is co-directed by Aggelos Katsaggelos, Francesca Casadio, and Erik Luijten.
Center for Ultra-scale Computing and Information Security (CUCIS)
The Center for Ultra-scale Computing and Information Security conducts highly innovative research in many synergistic areas of ultra-scale computing and information technologies, and it fosters and enables interdisciplinary research in computing technologies that scale to these levels. The center is directed by Alok Choudhary.
Institute for Data, Econometrics, Algorithms, and Learning
The Institute for Data, Econometrics, Algorithms, and Learning (IDEAL) is a transdisciplinary, National Science Foundation (NSF) Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR): Transdisciplinary Research in Principles of Data Science (TRIPODS) Phase II institute accelerating transformative advances in the theoretical foundations of data science. Investigators collaborate across Northwestern, Google Research, the Illinois Institute of Technology, the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the University of Chicago. Aravindan Vijayaraghavan is the IDEAL site director and Samir Khuller is the co-principal investigator.
Northwestern Argonne Institute of Science and Engineering (NAISE)
The Northwestern Argonne Institute of Science and Engineering brings together researchers at Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory to create powerful collaborations in fields such as energy, biological and environmental systems, data science and computation, materials, and national security. NAISE provides students and post-doctoral scholars with unique educational and training opportunities. The center is co-directed by Pete Beckman, Jennifer Dunn, and Peter Voorhees.
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
The Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems uncovers fundamental principles governing complex systems in science, technology, and human behavior and applies these principles to solve societally relevant problems through the analysis, design, and control of complex systems. NICO facilitates research into physical, biological, social, and global systems and data science. The center is co-directed by Luis Amaral and Brian Uzzi.
Northwestern Security & AI Lab (NSAIL)
Jointly housed by the Northwestern Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs and Northwestern Engineering, the Northwestern Security & AI Lab (NSAIL) performs fundamental research in artificial intelligence related to cybersecurity and international security.NSAIL is directed by V.S. Subrahmanian.
Northwestern University Transportation Center (NUTC)
The Northwestern University Transportation Center focuses on the movement of materials, people, energy, and information and aims to influence national and international transportation policy, management, operations, and technological developments. NUTC is directed by Hani Mahmassani.