This article is published in the January 2024 issue.

UR2PhD New Virtual Workshop Series Seeks to Increase Computing Research Awareness Among Undergraduates

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By Julia Sepulveda, Program Associate, CRA-E

In Spring 2024, the UR2PhD team will launch a monthly virtual workshop series to help undergraduate students learn more about computing research.The workshops will provide insight into key areas such as research challenges, career paths and preparation, daily routines, and opportunities for making meaningful contributions to society through computing research.

A one-hour online session will be held each month beginning in February 2024 and ending in May 2024. Undergraduate students need not be previously affiliated with the UR2PhD program to participate. All undergraduates curious about computing research are encouraged to attend. Students are encouraged to attend the sessions synchronously, as they will include interactive components such as opportunities for Q&A with well-known computing researchers,  graduate student researchers, and undergraduate researchers from universities across North America. Sessions will also be recorded for future viewing. 

A full schedule of the workshop series and additional information about the sessions will be posted on the UR2PhD website. 

UR2PhD is organized and managed by CRA’s Education Committee (CRA-E) and the Committee on Widening Participation (CRA-WP). It is led by Program Leaders Christine Alvarado, Kelly Shaw, Lori Pollock, and Monique Ross, with support from Susan Rodger. The program was launched with the support of a $5 million grant from a philanthropic partner with the intent of substantially increasing the enrollment of women and other gender-marginalized communities, especially students who identify as Black, Latinx, Native, and/or Indigenous, within computing doctoral programs. 

To learn more about UR2PhD, please visit https://cra.org/ur2phd/