By Michelle Tubb, IEEE Computer Society
Since their inception three years ago, the IEEE Computer Society’s (CS) Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Fund and the Emerging Technology Fund have had a profound impact on not only the computer science and engineering landscape but on the world at large. Through a focus on expanding access to STEM information, embracing and exploring emerging technologies and solutions, and increasing global access to both, these initiatives have extended the Society’s overall mission of empowering computer science and engineering professionals to better serve the world.
D&I Fund
For instance, a 2023 D&I Fund grant supported a workshop for first-generation, low-income, and Hispanic students living in Southern California’s Inland Empire. The workshop’s goal was to promote a data science research culture, helping attendees consider data science or computing graduate programs or careers.
“Since the workshop, some [students] have already graduated and were admitted to graduate schools for computing-related majors. Others have reached out to the mentors and speakers at the sessions, seeking advice about research and future careers,” shared IEEE CS Member Jia Chen, Assistant Professor at the University of California Riverside Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and workshop lead.
Other examples of recent programs funded by the D&I Fund include the IT Workshop for Young Teenagers at the Universidad de Panama in Panama City, which sought to challenge traditional gender stereotypes in STEM and address socio-economic barriers to STEM paths, and Journeys: Teenage Women Embracing Science and Engineering, which was held to introduce young women to the variety of STEM education and job opportunities available to in Mexico.
Emerging Technology Fund
As a complementary initiative, IEEE CS created the Emerging Technology Fund to fuel the evolution of technology. For instance, in 2023, the “Hack the Metaverse” program was hosted by the IEEE CS Bangalore Chapter and provided students with a deep dive into the metaverse, supported by tutorials and training, collaborative problem-solving, and hack-a-thon competitions.
“The program helped in understanding how the metaverse affected areas such as health care, smart cities, transport, and industrial applications,” said IEEE CS Member and Program Organizer Abhishek Appaji, with B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bengaluru. “The hackathon created crude solutions which will be further taken by the industry, helping to create long-term sustainability.”
The Emerging Technology Fund also made possible the IEEE Cyberhogs Capture the Flag competition at the University of Arkansas. Dubbed “RazorHack,” this event challenged participants to gain access to virtualized computer environments, identify vulnerabilities, and perform tasks to earn points to explore the cybersecurity needs of the future.
A Global Impact
These stories offer just a sampling of the D&I and Emerging Technology Funds’ impact. As these programs continue to grow, they will provide new opportunities for reaching underserved and underrepresented communities and supporting progress in computer science and engineering for the benefit of humanity. To find out more about these programs or how to donate, visit https://www.computer.org/about/diversity-inclusion and https://www.computer.org/communities/emerging-technology-fund.
