CRA Update: 2024 CRA Conference at Snowbird Recap, Conference Slides, and a Few of Our Favorite Photos
By Matt Hazenbush, Director of Communications
The 2024 CRA Conference at Snowbird brought together leading minds from academia, industry, and government to discuss the most pressing issues in computing research. This invitation-only biennial event, held from July 23-25, was a vibrant forum for collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. The picturesque Snowbird, Utah, served as an idyllic backdrop for a series of insightful sessions, networking opportunities, and engaging discussions.
Highlights of the Event
Pre-Conference Workshops and Welcome Events
The conference began on Tuesday, July 23, with a series of pre-conference workshops. One of the key events was the New Chairs Workshop, which was extended to a full-day event this year. This workshop provided new computing academic leaders with essential skills to effectively lead their organizations.
In the afternoon, the National Science Foundation (NSF) hosted a session titled “Expanding Geographic and Institutional Diversity in CISE.” This event focused on NSF/CISE initiatives aimed at increasing geographic and institutional diversity in EPSCoR states. Participants from various institutions discussed their needs and challenges in creating and expanding CISE-related research infrastructures and ecosystems within their jurisdictions.
The afternoon saw industry professionals gather for the CRA-Industry “Meet-and-Greet” meeting, where participants discussed the expanding influence of industry within CRA. Later, attendees were introduced to CRA’s extensive programs and opportunities during the CRA 101 session, led by Executive Director and CEO Tracy Camp.
The evening welcome reception on the Atrium Patio set a positive tone for the event, followed by a dinner talk on academic freedom and broadening participation in computing. The panel, which included Kamau Bobb (Georgia Tech), Carla Brodley (via video; Northeastern University, supported in person by Catherine Gill), and Jeff Forbes (NSF), discussed the challenges and opportunities in today’s academic landscape and engaged with questions from the community.
Day One: Inspirational Talks and Interactive Sessions
Wednesday began with a hearty breakfast, followed by CRA updates and awards presented by Tracy Camp and CRA Board Chair Nancy Amato (University of Illinois Urbana Champaign). A highlight of the morning was a powerful session on Disability and Innovation by Haben Girma, a renowned human rights lawyer and advocate for disability justice.
The day continued with a series of parallel tracks addressing key issues in academia, industry, research, and society. Sessions covered topics ranging from hiring best practices and industry affiliate programs to mission-focused research and current DEI challenges. These discussions provided valuable observations and practical strategies for attendees to implement in their academic units and careers.
The afternoon’s Lightning Talks from Future CRA Leaders showcased cutting-edge research and innovative ideas, while networking hikes provided a refreshing break and an opportunity for informal discussions.
The evening’s dinner talk by Peter Harsha, “Making a Federal Case for Computing,” was followed by a fun and interactive session of card games and socializing.
Day Two: Focus on AI and Future Visions
Thursday’s agenda was packed with sessions focusing on artificial intelligence and its implications. Deirdre Mulligan, Principal Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer, kicked off the day with a plenary on the Biden-Harris Administration’s actions on AI and efforts to build institutional support in the tech ecosystem.
Fernando Pereira from Google followed with an engaging talk on the development of generative AI and its future prospects. His session highlighted the importance of understanding AI within the context of human cultural output.
Parallel tracks continued throughout the day, with sessions exploring the future of graduate education, industry-academia partnerships, research integrity, and the security risks of generative AI. These discussions were instrumental in shaping the future directions of computing research.
The conference concluded with a dinner talk by Bill Dally from NVIDIA, who delved into the advancements in deep learning hardware and the future of AI technologies. His presentation provided a fitting end to an event focused on innovation and progress.
Looking Ahead
The 2024 CRA Conference at Snowbird brought together the leaders of the computing research community, fostering meaningful connections and inspiring new ideas. As we look forward to the next CRA Summit at Mystic Lake, MN, in 2026, we carry with us the lessons learned and the collaborations formed at Snowbird.
For a deeper dive into the materials from the conference, check out the available slide presentation PDFs here.
Thank you to all the attendees and speakers who made this event truly memorable. We extend our special gratitude to our sponsors, particularly our platinum and gold level sponsors, Microsoft, Google, and IBM, for their generous support. A special thank you as well to our event Co-Chairs, Maria Gini (University of Minnesota), Rachel Pottinger (University of British Columbia), and Divesh Srivastava (AT&T Labs).
We look forward to seeing you at Mystic Lake in 2026!
