ICYMI Items from Across CRA: February 2025
By Matt Hazenbush, Director of Communications
NSF Budget Cuts Threaten U.S. Innovation and Security
CRA warns that proposed NSF budget cuts and workforce reductions would undermine U.S. leadership in computing research. NSF funds nearly 80% of fundamental computing research at U.S. institutions, supporting advancements in AI, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. CRA urges Congress to reject these cuts and sustain investment in science and technology. Read CRA’s full statement here.
Save the Date: New Chairs Workshop – July 31 in San Francisco
The CRA New Chairs Workshop will take place on July 31, 2025, in the San Francisco, CA area, providing academic unit leaders (e.g., chairs, heads) in computing with essential insights on leadership, faculty development, and resource management. If you are interested in attending, please fill out the interest form.
CRA Secures $2M to Expand UR2PhD Program
CRA has received $2 million from Google.org to extend UR2PhD through 2026, supporting new Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) funding and launching the first Undergraduate Mentoring Workshop and Research Showcase. These initiatives will strengthen mentorship and expand pathways to PhD programs. Learn more in the full announcement here.
CCC and CRA-I Weigh in on NTIA Ethical Data Research Guidelines
CCC and CRA-Industry (CRA-I) submitted comments to the NTIA on ethical guidelines for research using pervasive data. Their response emphasizes accountability, data access equity, and protections for researchers and data subjects while recommending refinements to NTIA’s definitions and approaches. Read the full CCC & CRA-I response on the CCC Blog.
Insights from Computing Practitioners on Undergraduate CS Education
CRA-Industry’s Practitioner-to-Professor (P2P) survey gathered input from 1,000+ computing professionals on improving CS education. Key recommendations include adding courses in Algorithms, Computer Architecture, and CS Theory, enhancing soft skills training, and prioritizing problem-solving over programming language proficiency. A full report will be available in early 2025. Read the summary here.
Former CCC Council Member Cynthia Dwork Awarded National Medal of Science
Cynthia Dwork, former Computing Community Consortium (CCC) Council member, has received the National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest scientific honor. Recognized for her pioneering work in differential privacy, Dwork’s research has shaped modern data privacy practices used by Google, Apple, and government agencies. A Harvard University professor, Dwork served on the CCC Council (2015–2018), contributing to key white papers and workshops on privacy and computing research policy. Read more on the CCC blog.
