In this episode of the Professor Adolfo Neto podcast, Professor Adolfo Neto interviews Brittany Johnson-Matthews, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at George Mason University. Brittany, who directs the INSPIRED Lab, shares insights from her research in Software Engineering.
The interview begins with Brittany discussing her academic journey, including her Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the College of Charleston and her PhD from North Carolina State University. She explains that her interest in computer science was sparked by customizing MySpace pages, which she later realized was programming. Her mentor's encouragement during her undergraduate studies motivated her to pursue a PhD, despite initially not knowing much about what it entailed. She shares that she chose academia over industry because of her passion for problem-solving, creativity in research, and the fulfillment she finds in working with others.
The conversation then shifts to the topic of Ethics in Software Engineering. Brittany defines ethics as decision-making around what is acceptable or not acceptable in a given context. She provides examples of unethical practices in software development, such as intentionally hiding money to evade taxes and the emissions test scandal. Brittany emphasizes the responsibility of software engineers to ensure their algorithms do not perpetuate bias or discrimination. She offers advice on how to develop ethically minded software, stressing the importance of intentionality and considering broader impacts beyond performance and accuracy.
Brittany highlights the need for collaboration between researchers and practitioners to address ethical challenges in technology. She notes that ethics should be integrated both at the beginning of a software project and in post-production evaluations. The discussion also touches on how companies can outsource ethical evaluations to specialized organizations to ensure their software meets ethical standards.
In addition to her work on ethics, Brittany briefly discusses other research topics she explores. Her lab focuses on interdisciplinary research and development, aiming to understand the state of practice in technology building and innovation. They are particularly interested in engaging marginalized communities and understanding their interactions with technology to facilitate more equitable innovations.
For prospective PhD students interested in working with her, Brittany mentions that she has funding for projects aimed at understanding interactions with tech among marginalized communities. She also highlights that George Mason University provides excellent funding for first-year PhD students, including summer support.
The episode concludes with Brittany sharing how she stays updated in her field through various resources like books, blogs, podcasts, and academic papers. She also relies on notifications from platforms like Twitter (now X) and insights from her students to stay informed about new developments. Professor Adolfo Neto thanks Brittany for her valuable insights and wraps up the session by expressing gratitude to the listeners.
For more information on Dr. Brittany Johnson-Matthews and her work, visit .
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