Dr. Kenneth M. Ford

Computer Science

B.S., New Hampshire College, 1982
M.S., University of West Florida, 1984
Ph.D., Tulane University, 1987

Dr. Kenneth M. Ford was born in Hampton, Virginia, and earned his B.S. in Management from New Hampshire College, and his M.S. in Computer Science from the University of West Florida. He received a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Tulane University. His research interests include artificial intelligence, cognitive science, human-centered computing, and entrepreneurship in government and academia.

Ford is the founder and director of the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) at the University of West Florida. IHMC has grown into one of the nation's premier information technology-related research organizations with more than 100 researchers and staff investigating a broad range of topics related to building computational systems (i.e., cognitive prostheses) to leverage and extend human cognitive and perceptual capacities. The IHMC scientists and staff collaborate extensively with industry and government laboratories to develop science and technology that can be enabling with respect to society's broader goals.

In 1997 NASA asked Ford to develop and direct its new Center of Excellence in Information Technology at the Ames Research Center. He served as associate center director for two years and in 1999 received NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal.

Ford has received many other awards, including the University Research Award, the Golden Apple Award for Teaching, and the Distinguished Teaching Award from the University of West Florida. He has authored more than 100 scientific papers and 5 books. He serves as editor-in-chief of the AAAI/MIT Press and is a fellow of the American Association for Artificial Intelligence. In 2001, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of itFlorida.com, which advocates on behalf of Florida's growing information technology industry and serves as a clearinghouse for information technology-related information. Also in 2001, he was appointed to the Board of Supervisors of the Florida Space Authority.

Ford was appointed to the National Science Board in 2002.

July 2003