Rockefeller Student Explores AI, Government Decision-Making
ALBANY, N.Y. (May 8, 2025) — Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy doctoral student Tzuhao (Howard) Chen first developed a fascination for reading, and then the love of sharing what he had learned with others. That gradually sparked his interest in teaching.
"During college, I had the opportunity to work on several government-funded research projects. I was really inspired by how professors used research to support better government decision-making, and that experience deepened my interest in research itself," said Chen, who earned a master's degree in public management and bachelor's in political science with a minor in economics from National Taiwan University before coming to the U.S. "For me, a PhD brings together the things I enjoy most — reading, thinking, researching and teaching."
Since enrolling at UAlbany in 2021, Chen has worked as a research assistant for the Center for Technology in Government (CTG UAlbany), taking part in research designed to transform public services through innovation and collaboration. He's coauthored more than a dozen publications on a variety of subjects, including the role of artificial intelligence in the government sphere.
His most recent article, "Holding AI-Based Systems Accountable in the Public Sector: A Systematic Review," appears in the February 2025 edition of Public Performance & Management Review.
Chen said he appreciates the environment at UAlbany and the opportunity to work on several projects with CTG UAlbany while working toward his PhD.
"That hands-on experience has been incredibly helpful in building skills like literature review and academic as well as practical writing," said Chen, noting the reputation of Rockefeller College in the fields of public administration and policy.
During his time at CTG UAlbany, Chen was invited to join the Smart and Connected Communities project, a collaboration between the College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering at CTG UAlbany which was designed to support emergency information exchange for residents in rural communities.
"Through this project, I started gaining more field experience by attending town meetings and reaching out to residents to conduct evaluations. As my role in the project wrapped up, I led the writing of a conference paper that proposed a conceptual framework for information sharing in emergency management," said Chen. "This experience really showed me how applied research can directly impact people’s lives. With innovative approaches like this project, we can help residents access timely information and raise their awareness about emergency preparedness."
Chen also worked on the Message Design Dashboard project with the College of Emergence Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity.
"This is the one project I’ve been part of from beginning to end, and I’ve learned a tremendous amount from it. The goal was to design an application — called the Message Design Dashboard — to help emergency managers craft more effective public alerts and warnings," said Chen, who worked with the CTG UAlbany team on several key components of the project.
After he graduates from UAlbany this summer, Chen is set join the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Florida International University as an assistant professor.
"Rockefeller College and CTG UAlbany have given me so many valuable lessons and skills that I’ll carry with me into the next chapter of my career. First and foremost is the genuine care and support they show toward students and colleagues, always prioritizing the growth and success of others and the team as a whole," said Chen. "I’m especially grateful for the mentorship I received from faculty and the chance to collaborate with peers and senior researchers, which helped me grow both professionally and personally. I also appreciated being part of such a diverse environment. It broadened my worldview, strengthened my ability to work across differences and deepened my appreciation for the power of collaboration in research."
Chen said his colleagues at CTG UAlbany helped him work his way through the challenges of being an international student during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I also feel fortunate to have met many friends from Taiwan through the Taiwanese Student Association at UAlbany. We shared everyday moments and celebrated the simple joy of seeing snow together — a memory I’ll always cherish and surely miss after leaving Albany," said Chen.