Benjamin Hescott

Research interests

• Computational complexity
• Approximation algorithms
• Computational biology

Education

• PhD in Computer Science, Boston University
• BA in Mathematics, Boston University

Biography

Benjamin Hescott is a teaching professor in the Khoury College of Computer Sciences and the Vice Provost for Curriculum Development and Implementation at Northeastern University. Prior to that, he was Senior Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Student Experience at Khoury College. Before joining Northeastern, he was an assistant professor at the Department of Computer Science of Tufts University.

In his current role, Hescott works closely with college leadership, faculty, and the Chancellor's Office on the development of new degree programs, the integration of AI and emerging technologies, and the expansion of experiential education elements in our curricula — ensuring Northeastern’s academic programs remain innovative, market-relevant, and aligned with student success and our institutional mission. He also partners with the colleges to close curriculum skills gaps and oversee the academic aspects of the university's digital learning strategy, including micro-credentials and online offerings, as well as pathway, mobility, and study abroad programs.

During his time at Khoury College, he helped create more than 40 combined majors. Passionate about broadening experiential opportunities for students, Hescott spearheaded the creation of a new project-based practicum course, a classroom to co-op pilot with Microsoft, and a new co-op consulting program.

Hescott’s research interests include computational complexity, approximation algorithms, and computational biology. He helped create a new metric of “closeness” for popular biological models. This work was used in the Dream Challenge for Disease Module Identification and received the “Best Performer” award. Hescott’s passion for teaching enables him to continually search for new tools and analogies to help make computer science and programming accessible to all.

Hescott graduated from Boston University with a PhD in Computer Science in 2008. He has been the faculty supervisor for the student ACM chapter and served as the liaison to the New England Undergraduate Computer Science Symposium. He is the recipient of the 2011 IEEE Computer Society Computer Science and Engineering Undergraduate Teaching Award, recognizing his contribution to making computer science accessible to all. During his time at Tufts University, Hescott won the 2011 Lerman-Neubauer Prize for Outstanding Teaching and Advising, the 2012 Henry and Madeline Fischer Award (Engineering Teacher of the year award) and the 2012 Lillian and Joseph Leibner Award for Excellence in Teaching and Advising of Students. He was recognized in 2013 by the Tufts Graduate Student Council for Outstanding Faculty Contribution to Graduate Studies. In 2016, he was awarded the ROUTE award which recognizes undergraduate teaching and mentoring. That same year the Tufts Student Body awarded him “Professor of the Year.”