Communications - April 2009

[continued from P. 112] our first meeting this February, in London. There are already lots of different computer societies in Europe, and they do a lot to energize and support the research base. We’re trying to find out what we could do to help and collaborate.

What’s your time frame for all of this? We’d like to see the councils for China, India, and Europe set up and running their own meetings by the end of financial year ‘09, which technically finishes in June. We’re also planning more events like the educational summit in China. Hopefully, we’ll have something in India in 2010, and we’re looking to have an event in Europe, as well. Then we’ve got to think about Central and South America, and Africa—it’s a big world.

“What would it mean
if we tried to double
our membership?
how would it
change Acm?”

a debate, which we’re going to run this year: What would it mean if we tried to double our membership? How would it change ACM?

Sounds like there’s a lot to be done. There is a lot of responsibility, but it’s also great fun. I’ve always enjoyed working with and for ACM, and because of its international role you feel that you can really have an impact.

You’ve also been talking about growing Acm’s membership. ACM has had a steady growth, and we reckon we can get to an even 100,000. But when you think about it, there What else is on the agenda? are hundreds of thousands of peo- The other big part of our agenda is im-ple—millions—who work in this area proving the image of the field and the across the world. So we’ve just started health of the discipline. This is all in

CACM lifetime mem half page ad:Layout 1  9/4/08  4:04 PM  Page 1

last byte

collaboration with other organizations, like the National Science Foundation and members of the media. We’ve seen a dramatic drop in the numbers of people interested in careers in computing, and we’re working on several projects to help turn this around.

Such as?

Public broadcaster WGBH, in Boston, does a lot to encourage young people to go into science and engineering. So we’re working with them to look particularly at Latina and African-American girls. The Educational Policies Committee is also looking at ways to move computing and computer science into the mainstream of policy thinking.

on a more personal note, you were recently honored as Dame commander. how did that feel? It is, of course, a huge honor, and thrilling for me and my family. But I think it’s also good for the computing community to have one of its own recognized in this way.

Leah Hoffmann is brooklyn-based technology writer.

Take Advantage of

ACM’s Lifetime Membership Plan!

◆

ACM Professional Members can enjoy the convenience of making a single payment for their entire tenure as an ACM Member, and also be protected from future price increases by taking advantage of ACM's Lifetime Membership option.

◆ ACM Lifetime Membership dues may be tax deductible under certain circumstances, so becoming a Lifetime Member can have additional advantages if you act before the end of 2008. (Please consult with your tax advisor.)