Coding for a Cause:
Bridging Tech and Social Good with Andrew Begel

At the heart of the digital revolution lies a critical question: how do we ensure technology serves not just innovation but societal good? At Carnegie Mellon University's Societal Computing PhD program, this question is explored daily by faculty and students. Andrew Begel, a professor in the program, exemplifies this fusion of computer science and societal impact. His work in promoting neurodiversity within the tech industry offers a compelling narrative of inclusion and innovation, all while embodying the interdisciplinary ethos of the program.

For prospective students passionate about solving real-world problems through technological solutions, Begel’s journey offers a glimpse into the possibilities at the intersection of software engineering and societal computing.

The Intersection of Software Engineering and Societal Computing

For Andrew Begel, societal computing is about tackling real-world problems that matter. "One of the things that drew me to this field was the idea that software engineering could be the driver of social good," Begel explains. His work bridges software development with societal impact, focusing on making technology more accessible to neurodivergent individuals.

This intersection of technical expertise and social consciousness defines the Societal Computing PhD program at CMU. "We're engaging with the world's most pressing issues—privacy, security, inclusion—and using our technical skills to address them," Begel says. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together experts in law, policy, technology, and social science to develop holistic solutions to digital challenges.

Begel's work exemplifies this approach, blending technical expertise with a commitment to inclusion. For instance, his research on making programming more accessible to autistic individuals combines advanced software engineering techniques with insights from cognitive psychology and education.

This interdisciplinary focus aligns with CMU's broader culture, where technological research is consistently tied to real-world societal challenges. The program leverages CMU's strengths in areas like artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and cybersecurity to address complex societal issues. By fostering collaboration across disciplines, the program prepares leaders who can shape the digital future through innovative, impactful solutions.

Recent projects from the program showcase this approach. For example, researchers have developed tools for automating conservation efforts, created privacy-preserving technologies for ubiquitous computing environments, and explored ethical considerations in AI decision-making. These projects demonstrate how the program's interdisciplinary approach leads to solutions that are both technically sophisticated and socially responsible.

“One of the things that drew me to this field was the idea that software engineering could be the driver of social good.”

Neurodiversity in Tech: A Societal Mission

Begel’s passion for neurodiversity in tech isn't just professional—it’s personal. “The unemployment rates for neurodivergent individuals, particularly those who are autistic, are staggeringly high—some estimates go as high as 85%,” Begel points out. His goal is simple but ambitious: to create pathways for neurodivergent individuals to succeed in tech careers.

One of his most impactful projects involved designing a summer program for autistic students. "We created this course that focused not only on teaching technical skills but also on improving their communication and teamwork abilities," he says. The result? Nearly 80% of the students landed internships, some of which might turn into job offers. “That’s the power of designing with neurodivergent strengths in mind,” Begel adds.

His approach reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, with major players like Microsoft and SAP launching neurodiversity hiring initiatives. Microsoft’s Neurodiversity Hiring Program, for example, has brought several hundred neurodivergent employees into its workforce. But as Begel notes, “These programs are great, but they only reach a small fraction of the population. We need to think bigger, on a societal scale.”

Mentorship and Leadership Development in the Societal Computing PhD Program

Beyond his research, Begel’s role as a mentor is central to his work. “I tell my students all the time—you're not just here to do research. You're here to become leaders,” he says. His mentorship approach is rooted in treating students as future colleagues, pushing them to think critically about their work’s societal impact. “I try to get them to think about not just what they’re studying, but why they’re studying it. Who does it help? What change can it create?”

This philosophy is central to the Societal Computing PhD program. The mentorship model at CMU encourages collaboration across disciplines, helping students build a network of advisors, peers, and industry professionals. “The program gives students the freedom to explore their ideas, but there’s always guidance when they need it,” Begel says.

According to Begel, one of the greatest rewards is watching his students grow into thought leaders themselves. He cites an example of a student researching ADHD and its impact on software developers. “It’s work that’s deeply personal for them, and that’s exactly what I want my students to do—pursue research that not only advances knowledge but that also matters to them personally,” he explains. This hands-on, interdisciplinary mentorship style is a distinguishing feature of CMU’s program, ensuring students graduate not just with academic knowledge, but with the skills needed to lead.

Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: The Key to Innovation

For Andrew Begel, collaboration isn't just a method—it's essential to solving today’s most pressing societal challenges. “You can’t solve today’s problems with yesterday’s methods,” he says, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach in addressing the complex issues of inclusivity and workplace diversity. At Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), the Societal Computing PhD program reflects this ethos by combining expertise from fields like computer science, psychology, and organizational behavior to create solutions that are technically sound and socially meaningful.

One of Begel’s key projects, Neurodiversity @ Work, exemplifies this cross-disciplinary mindset. The initiative’s primary goal is to support neurodivergent individuals—particularly those with autism and ADHD—in navigating their educational and career journeys. “We focus on preparing, recruiting, and supporting neurodivergent talent as they enter and grow in tech careers,” Begel explains. This includes creating pathways to success through mentoring, internships, and direct employer engagement, all while transforming tech workplaces into inclusive environments where neurodivergent individuals can thrive.

Begel’s work through the Southern Great Lakes Region Neurodiversity at Work Hub takes these efforts even further. The Hub operates as a regional center focused on scaling inclusive hiring practices across the tech industry. “Our approach is regional because it allows us to build deep relationships with local businesses and service providers,” says Begel. “We’re working with companies to rethink how they hire and integrate neurodivergent employees, moving beyond traditional interview processes that often disadvantage them.” This includes implementing alternative recruitment methods such as project-based assessments and skills-based interviews, tailored to showcase the strengths of neurodivergent candidates without placing undue emphasis on neurotypical social skills that are irrelevant to the job.

The Hub's objectives are ambitious: it aims to support neurodivergent students throughout their university careers, connect them with summer internships, and ultimately help them achieve long-term employment. At the same time, it trains employers to foster inclusive environments, giving them the tools to recruit, retain, and support neurodivergent workers. “We’re not just focused on getting people hired,” Begel emphasizes. “We want to build a sustainable talent pipeline where neurodivergent individuals can thrive and advance in their careers.”

What makes Neurodiversity @ Work and the Hub stand out is their interdisciplinary foundation. The initiative draws on insights from psychology, which informs understanding of neurodivergent communication styles and sensory needs, organizational behavior, which helps shape inclusive workplace policies, and computer science, which develops technical tools to aid neurodivergent individuals in navigating professional environments. For example, research conducted at Begel’s VariAbility Lab explores how AI can be used to analyze communication patterns and develop tools that improve collaboration between neurodivergent and neurotypical colleagues.

“The strength of this work lies in the collaboration between disciplines,” Begel explains. “We’re not just designing solutions for neurodivergent individuals—we’re co-creating them with neurodivergent employees, employers, and researchers to ensure the outcomes are both practical and impactful.”

“I try to get [students] to think about not just what they’re studying but why they’re studying it. Who does it help? What change can it create?”

This philosophy is central to the Societal Computing PhD program at CMU, which trains its students to apply interdisciplinary approaches to real-world problems. Students in the program don’t just focus on technical skills; they’re also equipped with the ability to think critically about the societal implications of their work. “We prepare our students to look beyond code,” says Begel, “and think about how their innovations will affect people in the real world—whether that’s building more inclusive tech teams or creating tools that make workplaces accessible to everyone.”

“It’s not enough to hire someone,” Begel insists. “Companies need to commit to fostering environments where neurodivergent workers can truly succeed.” This commitment to fostering long-term change speaks to the program’s focus on producing graduates who are ready to tackle societal-scale challenges.

The success of these initiatives reflects the core of the Societal Computing PhD program—an interdisciplinary environment where technology and societal needs intersect. By working together across fields, the program's students and faculty are leading the charge in creating tech solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of neurodivergent individuals.

Scaling Societal Impact: Begel’s Vision for the Future

While Begel’s work has already impacted many lives, he believes the real challenge is scaling these initiatives. “What we’re doing now is great, but we’re only reaching a fraction of the people who need it,” he says. His vision for the future involves creating regional hubs that would connect neurodivergent individuals with tech companies across the country. “These hubs would offer ongoing support, mentorship, and job opportunities, creating a pipeline for neurodivergent talent.”

This scalable model reflects CMU’s broader mission to address societal-scale challenges. The Societal Computing PhD program equips its students with the tools to think big, empowering them to create solutions that can be applied on a national or even global scale. “Our goal is to create not just solutions, but sustainable, scalable ones that can have a real impact on society,” Begel says.

Educational Philosophy: Shifting the Paradigm in Disability and Tech

Begel is a staunch advocate for shifting how society views disability. “We need to stop thinking about neurodivergence as something to be ‘fixed,’” he says. Instead, his work focuses on adapting environments to better suit neurodivergent strengths. “It’s about creating tools that allow neurodivergent individuals to thrive, not conform,” Begel adds.

This shift in thinking is reflective of a broader movement within assistive technology. Recent advancements in AI-driven communication tools and virtual reality training modules have revolutionized how neurodivergent individuals engage with the world. Begel’s work fits squarely within this evolving landscape, championing a social model of disability that focuses on removing barriers and empowering individuals.

Freedom and Autonomy in Research: Empowering Students at CMU

For Begel, the freedom to explore unconventional ideas is one of the greatest benefits of working at CMU. “There’s a lot of autonomy here, and that’s what allows us to innovate,” he says. The Societal Computing PhD program encourages its faculty and students to pursue bold, interdisciplinary research that might not fit within traditional academic boundaries. This freedom is essential for fostering the kind of innovation that societal computing demands.

Begel’s work, which challenges conventional views on disability and inclusion, exemplifies the power of academic freedom. “The ability to take risks is what leads to breakthroughs,” he adds. This culture of autonomy and exploration is a hallmark of CMU’s program, empowering students to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Preparing the Next Generation of Thought Leaders

Ultimately, Begel’s goal is to prepare his students to be the next generation of leaders in the field. “We’re not just training researchers—we’re training people who will shape the future of technology and its role in society,” he says. The Societal Computing PhD program’s emphasis on interdisciplinary research and societal impact ensures that its graduates are equipped to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.

“Our students go on to do incredible things—not just in academia, but in industry, government, and policy,” Begel explains. By the time they graduate, students of the program are not just experts in their fields; they are thought leaders ready to drive meaningful change.

A Launchpad for Impactful Research

Andrew Begel’s work epitomizes the mission of the Societal Computing PhD program at Carnegie Mellon—using technology to solve real-world societal challenges. For prospective students who are passionate about using their technical skills to make a difference, the program offers an unparalleled opportunity to work at the cutting edge of both technology and societal impact. With mentors like Andrew Begel guiding them, students are not just learning—they are preparing to change the world.