The next Engagement & Awareness Workshop will be held in May
Computing Research Engagement and Awareness Workshops
The Computing Research Engagement and Awareness Workshop Series offers undergraduate researchers of all levels an opportunity to learn more about what research is and what it can look like. Throughout the workshop series, participants can connect with active researchers in various computing sub-disciplines via panels and concise research presentations. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn more about research career options, while expanding their professional network.
Workshops for this series are held in the spring and in the fall.
Eligibility
Workshops are open to all undergraduate students attending North American institutions.
Students who have completed the UR2PhD undergraduate research training course are especially encouraged to attend, but students need not be affiliated with the UR2PhD program to engage with our sessions.
No prior research experience is required to participate.
Schedule and registration
| Date | Time | Content |
|---|---|---|
| TBC – May | TBA | Research and Social Good – Part 2 |
| TBC – June | TBA | Finding Purpose with Research |
Please note: the spring 2025 dates are tentative. After the workshop facilitators are hired, we will confirm final dates and times.
Let us know what topics you’d like covered in future sessions by completing our feedback form.
Previous Sessions
Research and Social Good – Part 1
Friday, March 28, 2025
Hear from active researchers about how their research benefits larger communities. This panel discussion featured presentations from three researchers:
- Areeg Mostafa, a Ph.D. Candidate in Computer Science at the University of Minnesota, whose research focuses on roadmapping.
- Rukhshan Haroon, a Ph.D. Candidate in Computer Science at Tufts University, whose research focuses on supporting autistic users with text-based communication.
- Sumin Heo, a graduating sociology undergraduate student at Wellesley College, whose research focuses on highlighting implications of gender in AI.
Networking with Researchers 101
Monday, November 18, 2024
Research is a highly collaborative process that requires support from various disciplines and people. Creating and building connections with others is a critical skill for researchers. This session offer students an introduction to what networking is, why it is important, and how students can practice relationship-building.
Students also had an opportunity to network with one another, but the practice time was not recorded.
Ask Me Anything
Monday, October 21, 2024
Hear from other undergraduates about how research can support your goals — and help you develop new goals! This session is a moderated Q&A featuring the perspectives and experiences of three undergraduate researchers from across the United States.
Panelists:
- Kianna Bolante, University of Washington
- Thien Thanh Truong, University of North Texas
- Sonia Fereidooni, University of California, San Diego
How To Get Involved In Research?
Monday, September 16, 2024
Join us for an informational session, where you will learn what computing research is, where you can find opportunities, and what to expect after landing an opportunity. This workshop features guidance on how to conduct outreach to faculty and answers audience-submitted questions.
Computing Pathways: What Degree Is Right For Me?
Monday, August 19, 2024
Join us for our first fall session, where we dive into what academic degree options exist within higher education. The workshop features a presentation about what program options exist, how they can help advance your career, and what you can do at each stage to set yourself up for success.
How do I combine other interests with computing?
Monday, May 6, 2024
Join us for the final spring session, where we explore the diverse and interdisciplinary nature of computing research. The workshop features short presentations about greenhouse farming and retro gaming experiences. Participants will walk away from the workshop having a better understanding of the various ways in which computing can intersect with diverse fields.
Panelists:
- Gilwoo Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Zordi
- Nick Mueller, Co-Founder of HD Retrovision
How will my research change the world?
Monday, April 8, 2024
Join us for an illuminating workshop designed for undergraduates interested in the transformative potential of computing research. Hear firsthand accounts from PhD candidates about their training, experiences, and journey of advancing research in computing. Whether you’re passionate about technology or considering a career in research, this session will broaden your understanding of computing research.
Panelists:
- Alberta Ansah, University of New Hampshire
- Alex Cabral, Harvard University
- Dani Perry, University of California, San Diego
What does a career in computing research look like?
Monday, March 11, 2024
Join us for an informative session about the career paths available within computing research. Participants will learn more about why folks get PhDs, and how it impacts employment options across academia, industry, and government. Whether you’re curious about the possibilities of a doctoral degree or eager to learn more about pursuing a research-oriented career, this session will provide inspiration for your academic and professional journey.
Panelists:
- Lexie Yang, Research Scientist in GeoAI Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- George Porter, Professor in the Systems and Networking Group in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, San Diego.
- Dana Nachmanson, Senior Bioinformatics Scientist at TwinStrand Biosciences
“So you’ve done some research, what’s next?”
Monday, February 12, 2024
Join us for an engaging workshop featuring a diverse panel of researchers who will share their journeys from undergraduate studies to their current roles. Gain insights into how the panel discovered their research interests and overcame challenges. Whether you’re just starting to explore research opportunities or considering your next steps after your first research experience, this workshop will provide valuable advice and inspiration to help guide your research journey.
Panelists:
- Celeste Bean, Senior Hardware Engineer for Sony Interactive Entertainment’s PlayStation
- Roman Caudillo, Research Scientist at Intel Corporation / JUMP 2.0 Director at SRC
- Catherine Delcourt, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Wellesley College
- Daniel Ji, Undergraduate Researcher at University of California, San Diego
- Sofia Kobayashi, Undergraduate Researcher at Wellesley College
UR2PhD: Undergraduate Research Methods Course by Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD Program. This work, “UR2PhD Undergraduate Research Methods Course”, is adapted from “Early Research Scholars Program” by Christine Alvarado, UC San Diego, used under CC BY 4.0. “UR2PhD Undergraduate Research Scholars” is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD Program and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
UR2PhD: Graduate Student Mentor Training Course by Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD Program is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
