In Print: ‘Professional Responsibilities in Computing Practice’

Publication title

Professional Responsibilities in Computing Practice

Purdue authors

Will Ledbetter
Baijian Yang

Publisher

Kendall Hunt Publishing Company

Publication date

January 2026

About the book (from the publisher)

In an era when computing technologies shape every aspect of society, understanding professional responsibility is more critical than ever. “Professional Responsibilities in Computing Practice” by Will Ledbetter and Baijian Yang offers a modern, engaging and practical guide to navigating the ethical, social and legal dimensions of the computing profession.

Drawing on years of experience in research, industry and innovative teaching, the authors combine foundational principles with real-world application to prepare students and practitioners for the challenges of today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. This book moves beyond theory, emphasizing actionable knowledge, critical thinking and ethical decision-making in authentic computing contexts.

The text is organized into two parts. The first builds a strong foundation by exploring teamwork, ethical frameworks, stakeholder awareness and quality in computing practice. The second applies these principles to key domains — including social media, intellectual property, privacy, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence — where professional responsibility is essential and often tested.

Designed for students in computing disciplines as well as professionals seeking to strengthen their ethical and professional skills, this book provides clear explanations, relevant examples and domain-specific insights that bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice. There is also a KHPContent website for instructors to administer quizzes about the reading as well as facilitate in-class discussions.

“Professional Responsibilities in Computing Practice” equips readers not only to succeed as technologists, but to lead with integrity, accountability and a deep awareness of the societal impact of their work.

About the Purdue authors

Will Ledbetter is a senior lecturer in the School of Applied and Creative Computing who teaches systems analysis and design and the ethics of information technology. He emphasizes creating a supportive learning environment that encourages independent thinking and collaborative problem-solving. Ledbetter’s research interests center on help speech and the role of trust in communication and how it can be fostered by pedagogy.

Baijian Yang is the associate dean for research at Purdue Polytechnic Institute and a professor in the School of Applied and Creative Computing. His research is particularly focused on applying artificial intelligence in healthcare, manufacturing, forestry and cybersecurity. Yang has published more than 100 referenced articles and is the co-author of two books on Windows phone programming.

About the In Print series

To celebrate our faculty’s excellence in scholarship, Purdue Today’s weekly book series highlights faculty expertise across diverse subjects and disciplines. Find out more about the Purdue University Books Initiative and how to suggest a book for the In Print series on the Office of the Provost website. Purdue University’s Libraries and School of Information Studies’ authored books collection is available here.