CRA-I is proud to support three active working groups, composed of members from the CRA-I Steering Committee and Council. We also welcome participation from the broader community if they wish to join. These working groups convene monthly via Zoom, with engagement levels varying based on the specific projects and priorities they are tackling.

The goal of CRA-I working groups is to focus deeply on particular topics, foster community engagement, address critical questions, and drive meaningful progress in their respective areas.

If you are interested in engaging with any of these working groups, please reach out to CRA-I Manager, Helen Wright (hwright@cra.org).

In spring 2024, CRA-I conducted a survey to explore the landscape of dual appointments, where individuals split their time between academic and industry roles. The findings were discussed during a dedicated session at the 2024 CRA Snowbird Conference, sparking conversations about how these appointments can strengthen academia-industry collaboration in computer science. These discussions aim to identify best practices and address challenges to shape a more connected and innovative future for the field.

Organizer: Ron Brachman (Cornell Tech)

In spring 2024, CRA-I launched the Practitioner-to-Professor (P2P) survey to gather insights from industry professionals on how to align computing curricula with evolving workforce needs. This initiative fosters stronger partnerships between academia and industry by ensuring university programs remain relevant and responsive. A summary report of the survey results is in development, with plans to outline actionable next steps for continued collaboration in this space.

Organizer: Rahul Simha (GWU)

The group identifies opportunities to enhance collaborations between research and development through a clear framework. They explore strategies to involve smaller companies and non-traditional tech organizations in computing research. A key component of this initiative is the introduction of “Research in a Box,” a structured folder with multiple tabs designed to help companies start or improve industrial research.

Organizer: Divesh Srivastava (AT&T)