Event
IEEE Leadership Seminar: Dr. Jennifer Roberts, ARLIS
Thursday, November 18, 2021
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
2460 AV Williams and Online
Kara Stamets
301 405 4471
stametsk@umd.edu
Dr. Jennifer Roberts
Visiting Research Scientist
Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS)
University of Maryland
"Socio Technical Innovation through Interdisciplinary Research"
This event will be held in 2460 AV Williams. It will also be streamed on Zoom. RSVP: https://umd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcvf-ysqD4tEtzSojifMo4sOOqh7QwrXhXz
Abstract
Interdisciplinary research is at the heart of many challenges that face the world today. Nonetheless, reaching across diverse disciplines, such as engineering, biology, climate, material, computer, and social sciences, requires the ability to foster communication, assimilate alternative perspectives, and facilitate collaboration. Leading interdisciplinary teams likewise requires a different leadership style than leading homogeneous teams. This session will explore my journey with interdisciplinary teams and research innovation as a student, data scientist, government program manager, and Deputy Director at DARPA (the DoD Advanced Research Projects Agency). This session will leave you with guideposts for interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership that can help you navigate complex socio technical challenges as you progress with your career.
Biography
A Maryland native, Dr. Jennifer Roberts is a Visiting Research Scientist at the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland. Prior to joining ARLIS, Dr. Roberts served on the leadership team of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as the Deputy Director of the Information Innovation Office from 2019-2021. In this role, she contributed to development of research programs and strategy in diverse areas of artificial intelligence, cross-cultural stabilization, cyber, and secure systems. She also served as a DARPA program manager from 2015-2019, during which time she started programs to automate and accelerate scientific discovery and to improve USG cyber defenses. For her contributions, Dr. Roberts received the DARPA Superior Public Service Medal (2021). Dr. Roberts holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT, where she was a Hertz Fellow, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Maryland.
