Prof. Irit Hadar

Full Professor, Department of Information Systems 

Director, Center for Cyber, Law and Policy

Fields of Research:
Cognitive Aspects of Software Engineering and Data Science, Cyber, Responsible AI

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I am a Professor of Information Systems and serve as the Director of the Center for Cyber, Law and Policy, founded in collaboration with the National Cyber Directorate. Additionally, I am the Founder and Head of the interdisciplinary research hub called “Design Thinking for Socio-Technical Innovation.” As part of my academic responsibilities, I am an associate editor and editorial board member for the journals Empirical Software Engineering and Requirements Engineering, and served as the Program Co-Chair for the 2024 International IEEE Conference on Requirements Engineering.

 

My research focuses on the cognitive and social aspects of software engineering and, more recently, the cognitive aspects of data science. Through the lens of cognitive and social science theories, I analyze the decision-making processes of practitioners in these fields. Based on these insights, I develop solutions aimed at reducing cognitive load and improving decision-making during software development and data analysis, resulting in higher-quality outcomes. For instance, I study how organizational climate affects privacy and security engineering in software design and how mental models are formed and tested during data mining tasks.

 

In my free time, I love traveling with my husband and two sons, skiing, mountain cycling, and kayaking.

With Great Data Comes Great Responsibility

“The rapid rise of information systems and artificial intelligence is changing our world faster than ever—but are we aware of the hidden dangers? My research – at the intersection of technology, privacy and ethics – seeks to uncover potential threats to user privacy, examine the factors shaping system development, and reveal how software engineers make crucial decisions about protecting personal data. Ultimately, our goal is to create ethical, responsible systems that uphold human values and safeguard user rights.“
– Prof. Irit Hadar

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

The Center for Cyber, Law and Policy (CCLP) at the University of Haifa, founded in partnership with the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, focuses on advancing research to inform public policy on cyber and biometric challenges. By integrating law, technology, and social sciences, the CCLP develops interdisciplinary tools for advancing cyber technology and cyber policymaking in areas like national and individual security, innovation, democracy, and civil rights in the digital ecosystem, with emphasis on the roles of biometric technology and artificial intelligence.

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