Chris Le Dantec

Professor, Director of Initiatives in Digital Civics

Chris Le Dantec
  • PhD in Human-centered Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology 
  • BS in Computer Engineering, University of Arizona

Christopher Le Dantec is a professor and the director of digital civics in the Khoury College of Computer Sciences and the College of Arts, Media and Design at Northeastern University, based in Boston. 

Le Dantec has always been concerned with how social value systems are reflected in technology, so his digital civics research applies human-centered computing to the intersection of digital democracy and smart cities. In particular, he develops novel computing interfaces and capacities that support collective action through the production and use of civic data. Le Dantec develops prototypes and demonstration systems through collaboration with community partners — including grassroots community organizations and advocacy groups from underrepresented communities — to meet their needs. By exploring how different value systems and priorities are negotiated through data and technology, he reframes research from ideas of command and control (e.g., smart cities) and efficiency and productivity (e.g., the workplace) toward ideas of inclusion, mutual aid, and care. 

Le Dantec joined Northeastern in 2023 to build out global initiatives in this same vein. Previously, he was an associate professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Interactive Computing, where he directed or co-directed the Human-Centered PhD Program, the MS-HCI Program, and the Public Participation Lab. He regularly publishes in CHI, CSCW, and DIS, and has won “best paper” and “honorable mention” accolades in each.