Faculty Report Proposes Bold Vision for Advancing Computing Innovation at Duke

With artificial intelligence and advanced computing reshaping research, education, and society, a faculty working group has put forth a plan for Duke to build on its existing strengths and lead in this rapidly evolving landscape, preparing students to navigate—and help shape—the future. 

The group’s report comes at a moment when advances in technology are transforming virtually every field, creating new opportunities for discovery while challenging universities to evolve alongside them. Developed with input from hundreds of faculty members, the report recommends investments that would help make computational fluency a core component of the Duke student experience while advancing foundational research in computer science, engineering, mathematics, and statistics and expanding the application of computing across the arts, humanities, social sciences, medicine, and the natural sciences. 

Chief among the report’s recommendations is a new cross-school academic unit that would coordinate and connect expertise across disciplines while supporting departments, schools, and existing interdisciplinary initiatives. The proposed entity would serve as a collaborative hub for computational research, education, and external partnerships across the university.

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Provost Alec D. Gallimore, Pratt School of Engineering Dean Jerome P. Lynch, and Trinity College of Arts & Sciences Dean Gary Bennett charged the working group in fall 2024 in response to a rapidly changing landscape for computation and artificial intelligence. Jeffrey Glass, Hogg Family Director of Engineering Management & Entrepreneurship and a professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Eric Laber, James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Statistical Science, served as co-chairs. 

“Our discussions with faculty made one thing clear: Duke doesn't need to create excellence in computing—it already exists across the university,” Glass said. “The opportunity is to connect those people and programs more intentionally, reduce barriers to collaboration, and create new opportunities for students and researchers to engage in applied computing. The recommendations in this report are designed to amplify what's already happening at Duke and make targeted investments to position us to be nimble in a rapidly evolving landscape.”

In addition to recommending the new academic unit, the report proposes:

• Expanding computing education so every Duke student can develop computational skills appropriate to their field of study;
• Strengthening foundational research in theory, algorithms, computational tools, and the societal impacts of computing; 
• Investing in interdisciplinary research themes, beginning with AI and digital transformation, AI-driven scientific discovery, cybersecurity, human performance, and simulations and game design, while identifying additional themes through future discussions; and
• Creating shared resources and computational infrastructure to support faculty research, experiential learning, and industry partnerships.

The report emphasizes that the proposed institute would complement—not replace—existing departments, centers, and institutes by helping coordinate expertise, expand opportunities for collaboration, and attract new external support.

“Duke has exceptional strength in the foundational disciplines that drive advances in computing, as well as an extraordinary culture of interdisciplinary collaboration,” Lynch said. “This report presents a compelling plan for connecting those vital elements in ways that expand educational opportunities for students, accelerate discovery, and enhance Duke's impact on society.”

The recommendations also align closely with Duke's commitment to interdisciplinary research and education, including the new undergraduate curriculum in the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, which emphasizes ethical reasoning, experiential learning, and connections across disciplines.

"This initiative builds on Trinity's foundational strengths in computer science and the other computational sciences, including statistics and math,” Bennett said. “Our interdisciplinary culture and structures enable us to extend those strengths into new applications across the arts, humanities, and the social and natural sciences, opening exciting research and educational opportunities for our students."

Gallimore, Lynch, and Bennett said they will continue to collect feedback from internal and external stakeholders on the proposed plan for the new academic unit, including soliciting input from members of the Duke community this fall. 

Read more:

• Executive Summary
• Full Report (Duke NetID required)