Robert Harper

Robert Harper is a Professor in the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA. His research focuses on the intersection of type theory and programming language design, with emphasis on formal verification, cost semantics, and concurrency models.

• University: Carnegie Mellon University
• Department: Computer Science
• Academic Rank: Professor
• Email: rwh@cs.cmu.edu

Harper's research program integrates cost analysis with behavioral properties in type theory, including Synthetic Tait Computability for logical frameworks and Amortized Analysis via Coalgebraic Methods. He explores foundational issues in Higher-Order Recursion and resource-sensitive programming through Decalf, a directed effectful cost-aware framework. His work combines theoretical rigor with practical implementation in systems like Twelf and Red*.

Recent publications demonstrate his contributions to Computational Adequacy, Session-Typed Concurrency, and Compiler Verification. Collaborations with institutions like the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems and researchers such as Stephanie Balzer and Jan Hoffmann extend his impact to concurrent systems and cost-sensitive programming.

Scientific Distinctions

• ACM SIGPLAN Programming Languages Achievement Award (2021)
• ACM Fellow (2005)
• Allen Newell Award for Research Excellence (2001)

He advises students on projects like Cost Verification in Calf and Parallel Scan Verification, while teaching advanced courses including 15-413: Advanced Topics in Principles of Programming Languages (Spring 2025) and 15-312: Principles of Programming Languages (Fall 2025). Research funded by AFOSR grants including MURI A210038S002.