# William Smart

> researcher

**Wikidata**: [Q60056103](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60056103)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/william-smart-q60056103

## Summary
William Smart is a male researcher and university teacher specializing in computer science, with a focus on robotics, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interaction. He has held academic positions at Oregon State University and Washington University in St. Louis and earned his Ph.D. from Brown University.

## Biography
*   **Born:** Not available
*   **Nationality:** Not available
*   **Education:**
    *   Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Brown University (1994–2002)
    *   Master of Science (M.Sc.), University of Edinburgh (1991–1992)
    *   Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Dundee (1987–1991)
*   **Known for:** Research in robotics, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and legal informatics.
*   **Employer(s):**
    *   Oregon State University (2012–Present)
    *   Washington University in St. Louis (2009–2012)
*   **Field(s):** Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction, Legal Informatics
*   **Languages:** English

## Contributions
William Smart has contributed to the academic community primarily through his roles as a researcher and university teacher in the United States. His professional work spans several complex domains within computer science, most notably robotics and artificial intelligence. By moving from Washington University in St. Louis to Oregon State University in 2012, he expanded his academic influence, engaging in the study of computation and the development of intelligent software and machinery.

His research portfolio addresses the design and operation of robots (robotics), the creation of intelligent behavior in machines (artificial intelligence), and the ways humans interact with these systems (human-computer interaction). Furthermore, he has applied information science principles to legal contexts through his work in legal informatics. His career reflects a commitment to advancing the understanding of how autonomous and intelligent systems function and integrate into human environments.

## FAQs

### Q: What is William Smart's primary area of research?
A: William Smart specializes in several interconnected fields within computer science, including robotics, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and legal informatics.

### Q: Where did William Smart receive his education?
A: He earned his Doctor of Philosophy from Brown University (1994–2002), a Master of Science from the University of Edinburgh (1991–1992), and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Dundee (1987–1991).

### Q: Which universities has William Smart worked for?
A: According to academic records, he has been employed by Oregon State University starting in 2012. Previously, he worked at Washington University in St. Louis from 2009 to 2012.

## Why They Matter
William Smart represents a critical link in the modern academic study of robotics and human-machine interaction. His work addresses the practical and theoretical challenges of designing robots and AI systems that must operate alongside humans. By specializing in human-computer interaction (HCI) alongside robotics, his research likely addresses the "usability" and "sociability" of autonomous systems, ensuring that technological advancements in AI translate into tools that humans can effectively use and understand.

Furthermore, his engagement with legal informatics suggests an understanding that technology does not exist in a vacuum; it must be understood within the frameworks of law and information science. As a university teacher at major research institutions like Oregon State University, he influences the next generation of computer scientists, passing on knowledge regarding the design, construction, and ethical application of intelligent agents.

## Notable For
*   **Multidisciplinary Research:** Combining expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and legal informatics.
*   **Academic Leadership:** Serving as a faculty member at Oregon State University and Washington University in St. Louis.
*   **Advanced Education:** Earning a Ph.D. from Brown University, a notable institution for computer science.
*   **Global Academic Background:** Holding degrees from institutions in the United Kingdom (Dundee, Edinburgh) and the United States (Brown).

## Body

### Education
William Smart pursued a comprehensive education in computer science and related fields. He began his undergraduate studies at the University of Dundee in August 1987, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in May 1991. He subsequently attended the University of Edinburgh from August 1991 to May 1992, obtaining a Master of Science. Smart completed his formal education at Brown University in the United States, where he pursued a Doctor of Philosophy. His studies at Brown began in September 1994 and concluded in May 2002.

### Academic Appointments
Smart's academic career includes significant tenures at American universities.
*   **Washington University in St. Louis:** He served as a faculty member here from 2009 to 2012.
*   **Oregon State University:** In 2012, he transitioned to Oregon State University, where he has served as a researcher and university teacher.

### Research and Professional Identity
Identified as a male researcher who speaks English, William Smart operates within the broad class of computer science. His specific domains of study include:
*   **Robotics:** The design, construction, and operation of robots.
*   **Artificial Intelligence:** The development of software enabling machines to exhibit intelligent behavior.
*   **Human-Computer Interaction:** The study of how humans interact with computers.
*   **Legal Informatics:** The application of information science to legal issues.

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## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-6867-5125/education/3490926)
3. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-6867-5125/education/3490924)
4. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-6867-5125/education/3490922)
5. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-6867-5125/education/3490918)
6. [Source](http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6867-5125)
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. [Source](https://data.dnb.de/opendata/authorities-gnd-person_lds.rdf.gz)
9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File