Computer Science and Engineering (CS&E) is the only scientific and engineering discipline that is failing to increase the number of women graduates. Although female students are now the majority in high school advanced math classes, CS&E is not attracting this source of talent at the undergraduate and graduate level. Based on data over the last ten years, equity will be achieved at the doctoral level in most scientific and engineering fields by 2012, but not in CS&E until 2088! Very recent data suggests we may even be starting to lose ground while other scientific disciplines continue to make gains. This failure to exploit the experiences and perspectives of women represents a significant opportunity cost for innovation in our field.

CRA-W's goal: CRA-W wants to accelerate the number of women entering and contributing to CS&E research. Studies have shown that underrepresented groups no longer feel isolated and no longer are treated "differently" once their number rises above 35%. Our goal is to reach this milestone by 2020.

CRA-W has a track record of success:

• CRA-W received one of two 2005 Public Service Awards presented by the National Science Board in recognition of CRA-W's dedication "to increasing the number and success of women participating in Computer Science and Engineering research and education." The board noted three CRA-W projects in particular:
  • Career Mentoring Workshops
  • Distributed Mentoring Project
  • Collaborative Research Experiences for Undergraduates
  
  
• CRA-W was awarded the 2003 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). Results from independent, longitudinal studies evaluating the effectiveness of some of the more mature programs (DMP and the predecessor of CREU), have shown that student participation in these programs increases graduate school attendance significantly over comparably qualified non-participating students.

Need to scale up successful CRA-W activities: Past funding has primarily come from competitive NSF grants aimed at pilot projects to determine what kind of programs can be effective. To effect true change in the diversity of the research community, we need sustained funding for on-going, long-term programs that have been proven to work and that will benefit from wide-scale name recognition and community support. Every stakeholder that is basing their future upon technical innovation in CS&E should be our partner in achieving CRA-W's goal.

• Industrial and Institutional Sponsors: Support is requested to help fund individual programs as well as student scholarships. A range of funding levels is provided. Depending on the level of giving, programs can be named for the sponsoring organization and sponsor participation is encouraged. More information is available at: http://www.cra.org/craw/Activities/sponsors/industrial.php.
• Faculty Support for Student Participants: To increase the number of student participants, faculty are encouraged to use grant or institutional funds to help support students participating in the Distributed Mentor Project. The CRA-W's DMP subcommittee selects the best student applicants and pairs each with a faculty member with a strong research program in the student's area of interest. Applications and support information for faculty interested in applying to be mentors are available at http://www.cra.org/Activities/craw/dmp/index.php
• Individual Gifts from Alumni and Friends: The CRA is a non-profit organization and can accept tax-deductible contributions to support CRA-W activities. Please consider making a gift to the CRA-W through the CRA. Checks should be made to Computing Research Association (CRA), and should include a letter indicating the funds are for CRA-W activities. More information is available in the Sponsors page. If you want to make an individual donation, please fill out the CRA-W Individual Giving Form

For more information on sponsoring CRA-W activities, please contact
Carla Ellis
carla@cs.duke.edu
Computer Science Department, Duke University
Durham NC 27708-0129

Carla Brodley
brodley@cs.tufts.edu
Department of Computer Science, Tufts University
Halligan Hall
161 College Ave
Medford, MA 02155