This year’s CRA Conference at Snowbird will explore the tremendous opportunities for computing research to dramatically benefit the human condition, as well as the related responsibility for computing research to consider the risks inherent in the work we do. Ensuring socially responsible intentions and practices is critical to realizing the future potential of computing research.

After careful consideration of the current and projected situation surrounding the pandemic, CRA’s 2020 Conference at Snowbird planning committee has unfortunately decided to cancel the in-person conference scheduled to take place at Snowbird, Utah, July 21-23, 2020.

We trust you find this decision as disappointing as we do. For nearly 50 years, we have had the honor of bringing the leadership of the computing research community together every other year at Snowbird for the benefit of the community. But given the uncertainty surrounding travel and large gatherings this summer, and the need to come to a decision in sufficient time to allow our participants to make plans, we cannot commit to holding the in-person portion of the conference this year.

In place of the in-person event, we are currently exploring options to provide a virtual conference during the dates of July 21-23. The virtual conference agenda will be specialized to include content we feel is necessary for the community to hear and engage with, useful in understanding and operating in the current environment, or of sufficient general interest to merit inclusion. We are now moving forward with plans to hold a full in-person Conference at Snowbird in late July/early August 2021 and will resume our regular conference pattern of every other year with a conference in 2022 and subsequent even number years. Future dates are subject to change.

We’ll share additional details on our plans in the coming weeks. In the meantime, thanks for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.

If you have any questions about the conference, please direct them to snowbird@cra.org.

Dear CRA Members,
CRA continues to monitor the situation concerning COVID-19 and its potential impact on our upcoming CRA’s Conference at Snowbird, July 21-23, 2020. At the moment, the circumstances remain too uncertain for us to make any decisions about whether the conference will take place as planned.

We believe there is great value in bringing together the leadership of the computing research community in-person at Snowbird and will do all that we can to make that happen this July. But, obviously, health and safety concerns are paramount and we plan to heed Federal, State and local guidance about travel and public gatherings.

While we are not yet sure when we will make the decision to go ahead with the conference as in the past or modify it in some form, our intention is to decide with sufficient time for those who plan to attend to make their arrangements. Until then, it may be worthwhile to hold off on making travel plans.

If you have any questions about the conference, please direct them to snowbird@cra.org.

This year’s CRA Conference at Snowbird will highlight computing’s potential for social good and the related responsibility for computing research to consider the risks inherent in the work we do. Topics include social impact, positive and negative externalities, risks and opportunities, and responsibility.

Track themes:
Track 1: Computing Departments
Track 2: Computing Education
Track 3: Computing Research in Industry
Track 4: Tech for Good

A major focus of the conference will be the opportunities and responsibilities of computing research to increase the social good. Plenary sessions will feature former CRA board member Margaret Martonosi, incoming NSF CISE AD, a discussion on CRA strategic planning, and a view into computing and Washington from Peter Harsha, CRA’s Director of Government Affairs. The meeting will also include short after-dinner talks on computing research futures organized by the Computing Community Consortium.