Pitt Cyber partners with The Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law at Duquesne University, The Sara Fine Institute at Pitt’s School of Computing and Information, The Collaboratory Against Hate at Pitt and Carnegie Mellon University, and The Center for Informed Democracy and Social-cybersecurity Research Group at Carnegie Mellon University to host Hacking4Humanity to identify new tech and policy solutions to mitigate online hate and create safer communities.

Pitt Cyber launched Hacking4Humanity in 2019 to bring student innovation and energy to seemingly intractable problems. We wanted to expand the notion of a hackathon, recognizing that tech “solutions” in isolation of social context often lead nowhere or have unintended consequences. Hacking4Humanity encourages multidisciplinary collaboration, submissions including and beyond tech, and an emphasis on ethical considerations. 

Starting in 2023, this collaboration brings Pitt, Duquesne and CMU students together in a hybrid tech and policy hackathon to combat online hate.

About the Hackathon

Undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at Pitt, Carnegie Mellon University, and Duquesne University are eligible to participate. Students compete in teams of 1-4 people in either a tech or policy track. 

No hackathon experience or tech background is necessary. Come with a team or meet potential teammates via the registration process. 

2024 Finalists

Policy Track Grand Prize Winner: Myles Cramer, University of Pittsburgh, "Protecting Youth from Hateful Conduct & Sexual Harassment Online"

Policy Track Runner Up Prize Winner: Rachael Harris, Carnegie Mellon University, "Tackling Hate Speech on “X” with Hate Speech"

Tech Track Grand Prize Winner: Rory McCann, Chase Lahner, Ivan Puri, Holden Gent, University of Pittsburgh, "HateBot"

Tech Track Runner Up Prize Winner: Alex McElravy, Emily Brozeski, and Tessa Datte, Duquesne University, "Tone Tagged Commenting"

Tech Track Honorable Mention: Paul Doherty, Sam Houpt, and Ryan Bloch, University of Pittsburgh, "HateBlocker"