Sharad Goel

Sharad Goel is a Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, focusing on applying computational methods to address societal challenges such as criminal justice reform, democratic governance, and algorithmic equity. He co-founded the Computational Policy Lab, an interdisciplinary team leveraging technology for social impact. Prior to Harvard, he held faculty positions at Stanford University across multiple disciplines.

Goel earned a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Chicago, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, respectively. His research bridges computer science and public policy, emphasizing fairness in algorithmic systems and empirical analyses of social inequities.

His work spans topics like racial disparities in policing, equitable healthcare algorithms, and media bias. Recent studies include auditing AI hiring tools, addressing surveillance technology biases, and analyzing college admissions policies. Goel’s interdisciplinary approach combines data science with policy to drive actionable social change.

While no formal grants or student advisement records are listed, his lab’s collaborative projects highlight partnerships with researchers, data scientists, and journalists. His contributions to algorithmic fairness frameworks and policy advocacy underscore a commitment to bridging technical innovation with societal justice.