The Duke Initiative for Science & Society is delighted to announce the arrival of Lee Tiedrich as a Distinguished Faculty Fellow in Ethical Technology. Her arrival complements our growing focus in research, engagement, and educational offerings in ethical technology. Ms. Tiedrich will hold a dual appointment with Duke Law School, effective January 1st, 2022.

As a Duke alumna in electrical engineering and with over 30 years of legal experience as a partner at the global law firm Covington & Burling LLP, Lee has a long career bridging technology, law and policy. At Covington, she served as co-chair of the firm’s global and multi-disciplinary Artificial Intelligence Initiative and counseled organizations on a broad range of data and technology matters, including policy, governance, intellectual property, regulatory, transactional and digital transformation matters. She has written and spoken extensively on AI, data and emerging technology including to the Council on Foreign Relations, the Singapore Embassy (with the Ambassador), the Federal Judicial Conference, the National Judicial College, the Athens AI and the Rule of Law Roundtable, the Aspen Institute, the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals, Stanford University, New York University, and other leading institutions.

“Duke has been an important and transformative part of my life, dating back to my days as a Duke undergraduate electrical engineering student,” says Tiedrich. “There is no place that I would rather do this work than at Duke. Duke embraces a unique interdisciplinary approach to solving complex real world issues bringing together Duke Law School, Duke Science & Society, the Pratt School of Engineering, the Sanford School of Public Policy and many more.”

“We are thrilled that Lee is joining Duke Science & Society. She brings extensive leadership and expertise which will help Duke continue to expand its leadership in ethical technology policy. Her wealth of real-world experience, knowledge, and connections, will create so many new opportunities for students, faculty, and collaborators worldwide. I am particularly excited about her leadership in developing and launching our long-hoped for ethical technology practicum,” said Nita Farahany, Director of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society.

Lee will teach two courses this spring, including a seminar on AI and the Law and a multi-disciplinary practicum for graduate students in the Master of Arts in Bioethics, Tech Ethics and Science Policy program.

Community and Board Involvement

Lee serves on the Board of Visitors of Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering and the Dean’s Council for Penn Law Women. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She served on the Biden-Harris Campaign Policy Committee and on the Board of the UC Hastings College of the Law Worklife Law Center. She is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Lee is a champion for diversity, equity and inclusion. She was appointed the founding Chair of Covington’s Women’s Forum in 2003 and later served as Co-Chair of the firm-wide Diversity Committee. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the Duke University, School of Engineering. She is also a proud Duke parent.