This year, the UD Alfred Lerner College welcomed several new faculty members into its community. Rafi Turitz-Sweifach is a visiting professor of operations management; he spoke with Lerner about his professional background and what inspired his research focus.
Lerner: What is your professional and academic background?
Turitz-Sweifach: I hold an Honors B.S. in economics from the University of Delaware. I also hold an MBA and M.S. in business analytics and information management from UD.
Lerner: What is your research focus?
Turitz-Sweifach: My research interests focus broadly on AI, and I have a specific interest in AI ethics and the intersection of AI and education. I have been involved in a number of projects and groups at UD that focus on AI in a variety of areas.
Lerner: What inspired you to work in your field/research/subject area?
Turitz-Sweifach: The wide variety of responses to AI’s sudden boost in popularity a few years ago made me very interested in exploring the ethical aspects of AI and its use in education. Additionally, I had the opportunity to work for UD’s Academic Technology Services as a data analyst which led to me having a large role in a university-wide AI project called UD Study AiDE. This further deepened my interest in AI within the education space.
Lerner: What is it about UD that made you want to work/teach/research here?
Turitz-Sweifach: I had a wonderful time at UD as a student, and always felt a connection to the University, its students and faculty, and the overall atmosphere here. I love the idea of helping students find opportunities, just as faculty and staff had done for me when I was a student. When the opportunity presented itself for me to teach here, I took it without any hesitation!
Lerner: What course are you most excited to teach at Lerner?
Turitz-Sweifach: I am really excited to be teaching Decision Analytics and Visualization (BUAD345) this year. The course finds a nice balance between technical skills and critical/creative thinking.
Lerner: What is something unique about you that may surprise your peers/students? (hobby, talent, experience etc.)
Turitz-Sweifach: This is my seventh year at UD, and I’ve had the chance to experience UD from the perspective of an undergraduate student, graduate student, staff member, and now faculty as well!