Debra J. Richardson

Debra J. Richardson is a Professor of Informatics and former founding dean (2002–2010) of the Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences at the University of California–Irvine. She holds a B.A. in Mathematics from UC San Diego and M.S./Ph.D. in Computer Science from UMass Amherst.

Her research focuses on requirements engineering, specification-based testing, and applying software engineering to sustainability and marginalized communities. Notable projects include Software Engineering for Sustainability (SE4S) and Requirements Engineering at the Margins (RE@tM). She pioneered specification-based testing methodologies and has authored over 140 publications.

Dr. Richardson is a Fellow of Automated Software Engineering and a leader in CS education advocacy. She chairs Computer Science Education Week, NCWIT, and CCEAN, promoting gender equity and expanding access to K-12 CS education. Her service roles include leadership in the Computing Research Association and ACM.

Her career includes roles as department chair, dean, and visiting professor. She has advised over 20 students and secured a $20M endowment for her school. Beyond academia, she is an avid athlete (rugby, rock climbing) and labrador enthusiast, emphasizing community and diversity in STEM.