A group of prominent computer scientists have published a paper in the latest issue of Science presenting the case for a new interdisciplinary field – a “Science of the Web” focused on the dramatic impact of the Internet on information and society. The authors, Tim Berners-Lee and Daniel J. Weitzner of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at MIT; Wendy Hall and Nigel Shadbolt of the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton; and James Hendler of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute state that, “Understanding and fostering the growth of the World Wide Web, both in engineering and societal terms, will require the development of a new interdisciplinary field. If we want to model the Web; if we want to understand the architectural principles that have provided for its growth; and if we want to be sure that it supports the basic social values of trustworthiness, privacy, and respect for social boundaries, then we must chart out a research agenda that targets the Web as a primary focus of attention.” More from:

• RPI Press Release
• James Hendler’s Mindswap Weblog