Jennifer Tour Chayes

Jennifer Tour Chayes is a Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, serving as Associate Provost of the Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society and Dean of the School of Information. She previously founded and led the Theory Group at Microsoft Research Redmond and the Microsoft Research New England, New York City, and Montreal Labs, establishing herself as a pivotal figure in computer science institution-building.

Her research centers on theoretical computer science, particularly dynamic random networks, with significant contributions spanning statistical physics, mathematics, and data science. She has advanced foundational understanding of complex systems while serving as Associate Editor for leading journals across these disciplines, demonstrating interdisciplinary rigor and scholarly leadership.

Her major accolades include:

• ACM Distinguished Service Award (2020) for impactful leadership, mentorship, and dedication to diversity
• ACM Fellow (2010) for contributions to the foundations of dynamic random networks

Professor Chayes has mentored over 100 women in computing—many now field leaders—and championed inclusive practices through graduate student and postdoc support at Microsoft Research labs. Her national service encompasses advisory roles for the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, and American Association for the Advancement of Science, including Turing Award committee membership.

She pioneered Microsoft Research labs renowned for exceptional diversity: featuring triple the industry average of women, high representation of people of color and LGBTQ+ members, and sustained scholarly output across theoretical computer science and data-driven fields while fostering inclusive research environments.