Dr. Brent Hecht

Dr. Brent Hecht serves as Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota, focusing on the intersection of human-computer interaction, geography, and big data. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Northwestern University, an MS in Geography from UC Santa Barbara, and dual Bachelor's degrees in Computer Science and Geography from Macalester College. Through his Coursera courses "Evaluating User Interfaces," "Introduction to UI Design," and "User Research and Design," he helps students understand the principles of user interface design and evaluation. His research examines the relationship between big data and cultural factors, particularly focusing on volunteered geographic information and location-aware technologies. His collaborations with major tech companies including Google Research, Xerox PARC, and Microsoft Research demonstrate his influence in the field. His work has earned recognition at premier conferences in human-computer interaction and geography, including ACM CHI and COSIT, while receiving coverage in major media outlets including MIT Technology Review and New Scientist.