UR2PhD Overview

The Undergraduate Research to PhD (“UR2PhD”) program, pronounced ‘you are to PhD,’ focuses on increasing the representation of women and gender-marginalized students, particularly Black, Latinx, and Native/Indigenous individuals, in computing doctoral programs. Recognizing the urgent need to address the underrepresentation, the program aims to boost the percentage of women and gender-marginalized students entering computing PhD programs by at least 15% annually, with a higher increase target for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

CRA Taulbee survey data from the 2020-2021 academic year indicates that only 23.3% of computer science PhD graduates identified as women, and 68.7% of those women were nonresidents. There is an urgent need to increase representation within the field. Computing researchers shape the technology that is built and implemented in the US and beyond, and if researchers aren’t representative of society, we’re not only sacrificing potential technological innovations and their accompanying economic benefits, but we are also at risk of causing irreparable harm to vast segments of society. 

The UR2PhD program will specifically focus on increasing the number of undergraduate research opportunities and closing the gap between a first research experience and a successful PhD application.

To accomplish this, the UR2PhD program will create and sustain three primary virtual activities:

  • A twice-annual synchronous, undergraduate research methods course to increase the capacity of computing departments to provide high-quality undergraduate research experiences
  • A mentor training program for graduate students in order to train them to support students in a culturally responsive manner in order to grow the capacity and quality of research experiences for undergraduates
  • A series of workshops for students to retain their interest in research, increase their understanding of the graduate school application process, learn more about research pathways, and engage with current researchers

UR2PhD is managed by CRA’s Education Committee (CRA-E) and its Committee on Widening Participation in Computing Research (CRA-WP). Evaluation of the program will be conducted by CRA’s Center for Evaluating the Research Pipeline (CERP).  

Looking to share information about the UR2PhD program? View and download our Informational Flyer.

Program Objectives

UR2PhD aims to increase the percentage of women and other gender-marginalized students, especially those that also identify as Black, Latinx, and Indigenous/Native, entering computing doctoral programs by at least 15% per year, with higher increases for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. To achieve its goals, the UR2PhD program will specifically focus on increasing the number of undergraduate research opportunities for women and closing the gap between a first research experience and a successful PhD application.

Program Activities

The UR2PhD program is comprised of three primary, virtual activities: 

  • An undergraduate research methods course to increase the capacity of computing departments to provide high-quality undergraduate research experiences
  • A mentor training program for graduate students to train them to support undergraduate researchers in a culturally responsive manner
  • A series of workshops to increase students’ understanding of the graduate school application process, learn more about research pathways, and engage with active researchers

Program Entry Points 

There are two pathways for students seeking to participate in our courses: individual applications and institutional partnerships.

  • Individual Applications:
    • Undergraduates seeking to participate in the virtual research methods course must first form a research group (composed of 2-4 undergraduates) and identify a research advisor. Students will then submit an application to the program in advance of the deadline for the term in which they are applying. Learn more about undergraduate student participation.
    • Graduate students who serve as mentors for UR2PhD undergraduate participants are encouraged to complete the mentor training course. Graduate students need not apply; when undergraduate students are selected to participate, the UR2PhD team will reach out to their research advisors and will request advisors identify any graduate student research mentors. Learn more about graduate student participation.
  • Institutional Partners:
    • In an effort to meet the program’s objectives, the program leadership team will work with institutional partners to expand their research capacity by at least 20 new undergraduate researchers.
      • 2023 partners: Boston University, University of Alberta, University of North Texas, and University of Waterloo.
      • 2024 partners: Boston University, Harvey Mudd College, University of Alberta, University of California Riverside, University of North Texas, University of Waterloo, and Wellesley College.
    • The responsibility for managing recruiting and mentoring efforts at institutional partner schools lies with the local coordinators. Undergraduate and graduate students at institutional partner schools should request additional information from their local coordinators about how they can get involved.
    • Learn more about institutional partnerships.

Program Funding

The Computing Research Association received a $5 million grant from a philanthropic partner to support the UR2PhD program. 

Have a question about the program that’s not covered in this section? Please refer to our FAQ, or send us an email at ur2phd@cra.org 

UR2PhD intends to increase the percentage of women and other gender-marginalized students entering computing doctoral programs. We hope our programming makes it easier for you to mentor more undergraduate researchers. 

Institutional partners are North American universities and colleges that partner with the UR2PhD program leadership team to scale undergraduate participation in computing research.

Program Leaders

Christine Alvarado

Christine Alvarado

University of California,

San Diego

Bio | Website

lori-pollock

Lori Pollock

University of Delaware

Bio | Website

Monique Ross

Monique Ross

The Ohio State University

Bio | Website

Kelly-Shaw

Kelly Shaw

Williams College

Bio | Website

CRA-WP Liaison

Susan Rodger

Duke University

Website

Instructors

Justin Shaffer

Justin Shaffer

Colorado School of Mines

Undergraduate Research Methods Instructor

Dr. Shelly Heller

Rachelle Heller

George Washington University

Undergraduate Research Methods Instructor

ME Directory | Penn State Engineering

Catherine Berdanier

Pennsylvania State University

Graduate Mentor Training Instructor

Josh Sunshine - Software and Societal Systems - School of ...

Joshua Sunshine

Carnegie Mellon University

Graduate Mentor Training Instructor

Niema Moshiri

University of California, San Diego

Computing Engagement & Awareness Workshop Designer-Facilitator

Christine Bassem

Wellesley College

Computing Research Engagement & Awareness Workshop Designer-Facilitator

Staff

Erik Russell

Erik Russell

Director of Educational Initiatives

Julia Sepulveda Avalos

Julia Sepulveda Avalos

Program Associate

The UR2PhD program would not be possible without the support of the computing research community. The UR2PhD team is actively hiring instructors for our undergraduate and graduate student courses. 

Please note: Any persons hired will be considered independent contractors, and are not employees of CRA. Stipends represent compensation for services rendered. Stipends are reportable as gross income, but not as wages. By accepting a role and participating in the UR2PhD program, independent contractors recognize that CRA is not required to withhold any taxes, and no such withholding shall be done. CRA will issue 1099’s to independent contractors. It is the responsibility of each recipient to properly report the award as taxable income on their tax return for the year in which it was received. Independent contractors will need to complete and submit the appropriate W-9 or W-8BEN form to CRA for their stipends to be processed. Independent contractors must agree to follow CRA’s Code of Conduct which is outlined here: https://cra.org/code-of-conduct/.