Bio

Ben Green is an assistant professor in the University of Michigan School of Information and an assistant professor (by courtesy) in the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University, with a secondary field in Science, Technology, and Society.

Ben studies the ethics of government algorithms, with a focus on algorithmic fairness, human-algorithm interactions, and AI regulation. Through his research, Ben aims to support design and governance practices that prevent algorithmic harms and advance social justice. His first book, The Smart Enough City: Putting Technology in Its Place to Reclaim Our Urban Future, was published in 2019 by MIT Press. He is working on a second book, Algorithmic Realism: Data Science Practices to Promote Social Justice. Ben is also a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard and a fellow at the Center for Democracy & Technology.

Ben’s research draws on his experience working with data and technology in city government. He spent a year working for the Citywide Analytics Team in the City of Boston, where he combined data and performance analysis to improve public services and civic engagement. Ben previously worked at the University of Chicago Data Science for Social Good Summer Fellowship, where he developed a machine learning system to enhance the City of Memphis’ urban revitalization efforts. He also spent a year at the New Haven Department of Transportation, Traffic, and Parking, where he managed the deployment of new parking meter payment technology.

Ben completed his undergraduate degree in Mathematics & Physics at Yale University. His graduate work was funded by the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the Herbert Winokur SEAS Graduate Fellowship. Before starting at the School of Information, Ben spent three years as a postdoctoral scholar in the Michigan Society of Fellows and an assistant professor in the Ford School of Public Policy.