Ziad Matni

Ziad Matni is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He holds a PhD in Information Science from Rutgers University and an MS and BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Southern California. Prior to academia, he worked in the tech industry for over a decade as an engineer and manager.

• Roles: Director of UCSB's Early Research Scholars Program (ERSP), Co-Director of Undergraduate Learning Assistants (ULA) program, Faculty Advisor for the Class of 2026.
• Research Focus: Computational social science, information-seeking behavior in networked communities, and computer science pedagogy.
• Teaching: Courses include CMPSC 8/W8, CMPSC 16, CMPSC 32, CMPSC 40, CMPSC 64, CMPSC 110, CMPSC 111, CMPSC 154, and CMPSC 176A.

His research integrates interdisciplinary approaches, combining computational analysis with social science theories to study information behavior and educational technologies. Recent work emphasizes leveraging social media data for community well-being and improving undergraduate learning through peer mentorship programs.

Ziad’s Erdős number is ≤5 and Berners-Lee number is ≤3, reflecting his academic collaborations. He is passionate about making computer science accessible to all learners, regardless of background.

Professional Development: Advises on curriculum design, oversees student research initiatives, and contributes to UCSB’s efforts in computational education.