Shape the Future of Computing
Farhan Siddiqui in Tome Hall, home to the Department of Computer Science. Photo by Dan Loh.
Assistant Professor of Computer Science Farhan Siddiqui earned her Ph.D. in computer science from Wayne State University. Her chief research interests are in computer networking, and recent notable publications include “25 Years of Bluetooth Technology” and “Smart Healthcare: Challenges and Potential Solutions Using Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data Analytics.”
by Tony Moore
With Dickinson’s emphasis on undergraduate research, its close-knit academic community and unique courses like the Free/Open Source Software Development Practicum, the CS program feels like more than just lectures and labs. What is it about Dickinson’s approach that makes this such an exciting place for students to dive into computer science?
Dickinson’s computer science program offers a multifaceted learning experience that combines coursework with opportunities for independent study and research. A core feature of the curriculum is providing students with real world experience through free and open-source software projects. Early in the program, students work with a single project under close guidance, building confidence as they learn to navigate the process. Later, in their capstone course, they take the initiative to select an open-source community and contribute through a senior project that spans the full academic year, applying their skills with independence and purpose. These projects cover a wide spectrum, from purely technical challenges to those driven by humanitarian goals. By engaging with open-source communities, students collaborate with professionals in the field while pursuing work that reflects their passions, making computer science both deeply practical and personally meaningful.
Your work has touched everything from mobile and ubiquitous computing to wireless networks, IoT and now CS education and inclusion. What experiences—whether personal, academic or professional—sparked this path for you, and what keeps you inspired to blend hands-on technical research with opening doors for the next generation of computer scientists?
My fascination with computer networks first took root in the early 2000s when I discovered that an international phone call, once a pricey two to three dollars a minute, could suddenly be made for free. It was a glimpse into the transformative potential of networking technologies, and soon I learned that a breakthrough called Voice over Internet Protocol was making it all possible. From then on, I was driven to explore communication systems more deeply, pursuing them through graduate courses and ongoing research involving problems related to network access, quality, scalability and security. I like to expose undergraduate students to new ideas in network communication through experimental testbeds and state-of-the-art simulators. With the right balance of guidance and independence, students can develop the technical depth and scientific mindset that will not only carry them forward as innovators in networking but also empower them to shape the future of computing.
The internet of things promises everything from smarter cities to better healthcare but also raises questions about security, ethics and equity. How do you see computer science preparing students not just to build these systems but to think critically about their impact on society?
The internet of things offers tremendous opportunities, from smarter cities to better healthcare, but it also raises urgent questions about security, ethics and equity. An effective computer science curriculum provides preparation in two ways. It provides a rigorous technical foundation to design secure and reliable systems, and it also creates space to critically examine the broader impact of technology on privacy, fairness and access. By combining hands-on projects with discussions of real-world implications, the curriculum prepares graduates not only as capable computer scientists but as responsible innovators ready to shape technology for the good of society.
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Published September 25, 2025