Computing Research Association
The Computing Research Association (CRA) is an association of more than 220 North American academic departments of computer science, computer engineering, and related fields; laboratories and centers in industry, government, and academia engaging in basic computing research; and affiliated professional societies.
CRA was formed in 1972 and is based in Washington, D.C., USA.
Mission
CRA seeks to strengthen research and advanced education in computing and allied fields. It does this by working to influence policy that impacts computing research, encouraging the development of human resources, contributing to the cohesiveness of the professional community and collecting and disseminating information about the importance and the state of computing research. Each plays an important role in achieving the organizational objectives.
Policy: Develop a deeper understanding of policy issues and their impact, and work for informed policies involving computing research and computing technology in general.
- Influence policy related to computing research by improving public and policy maker understanding of the nature and role of such research.
- Increase the computing community's awareness of and participation in policy issues.
Examples:
- Congressional Visits
- Government Affairs website
- Computing Research Policy Blog
Information: Collect and disseminate to the research and policy-making communities information about the importance and state of computing research and related policy.
- Develop additional policy-relevant information.
- Bring this information to the attention of the public, policy makers, and the computing research community.
Examples:
Human resources: Ensure that society's need for a continuous supply of talented and well-educated computing researchers and advanced practitioners is met.
- Assist with leadership development within the computing research community.
- Promote needed changes in advanced education.
- Encourage full participation by members of underrepresented groups.
Examples:
Community: Promote a cohesive and effective sense of community among individuals and groups involved in computing research.
- Promote cooperation among various elements of the computing research community.
- Strengthen CRA as the focal point of this community.
Examples:
See also
- CRA was the main organiser of the first Federated Computing Research Conference in 1993.
- Informatics Europe is a similar organization to the CRA for Europe.