Dr. James Herbsleb

Professor

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Biography

James Herbsleb is a Professor in the Software Societal Systems Department at Carnegie Mellon University, where he served as the Department Head from 2019 to 2024. His research interests primarily lie at the intersection of software engineering, computer-supported cooperative work, and socio-technical systems, with a focus on geographically distributed development teams and large-scale open source development. He holds a PhD in psychology and an MS in computer science. Throughout his career, Herbsleb has received numerous awards for his research, including the ACM Outstanding Research Award (2016) and the Alan Newell Award for Research Excellence (2014). He has made significant contributions to developing theories and tools that support human collaboration in software design. His work emphasizes the dynamics of socio-technical systems and the importance of collaborative infrastructure and business opportunities in fostering innovation. His research has also explored the complexities of integrating technical platforms and managing the interrelations within software ecosystems, particularly in fields such as mobile devices and automotive systems.

Research Interests

Requirements for Carnegie Mellon University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
GRE General
Verbal
Required:158
Quantitative
Required:149
Analytical Writing
Required:4
Overall
Required:4
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field Research experience/publications
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • GRE scores (optional but reported in profile)
  • English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo)
Specialization Notes

Admission is extremely competitive with no strict GPA cut-offs; holistic review is used.