Bio

Bill Rand joined the Institute for Advanced Analytics in July 2025.

In addition to his appointment as Goodnight Executive Director of the IAA, Bill serves as the McLauchlan Distinguished Professor of Marketing and Analytics in NC State’s Poole College of Management.

Bill examines the use of computational modeling techniques, such as agent-based modeling, machine learning, network analysis, natural language processing, and geographic information systems, to help understand and analyze complex systems, such as the diffusion of information, organizational learning, and economic markets.

He also works to develop methods, create pedagogy, and build frameworks to allow researchers and practitioners to use analytics and data-intensive methods in their own work.

His areas of expertise include Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Complex Adaptive Systems, and Digital Marketing.

He has received funding for his research from the NSF, DARPA, ARL, Google, WPP, and the Marketing Science Institute. His work has been published in JM, JMR, IJRM, Management Science, and JOM.

Prior to coming to NC State, he was at the University of Maryland for eight years.

Degrees

• Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Michigan, 2005
• M.S., Computer Science, University of Michigan, 2001
• B.S., Computer Science, Michigan State University, 1999
• B.A., Philosophy, Michigan State University, 1999