The Computing Community Consortium (CCC) sponsors an initiative to bring special “Blue Sky Ideas” tracks to leading computer science research conferences. The goal of this initiative is to help conferences reach out beyond the usual research papers that present completed work and to seek out papers that present ideas and visions that can stimulate the research community to pursue new directions. Conferences may request CCC sponsorship of such tracks along with a CCC grant that provides prize money for the top 3 papers (first prize $1000, second prize $750, and third prize $500), to be awarded as travel grants. Papers in a “Blue Sky Ideas” track should be open-ended, possibly “outrageous” or […]

The 2015 Microsoft Research Faculty Summit will be streamed live from Redmond, Washington on Wednesday, July 8 and Thursday, July 9. This free online event offers keynotes and selected presentations from the Faculty Summit on future trends in computer science research. This year’s event, which focuses on Artificial Intelligence, includes former Computing Community Consortium (CCC) Council Member and now Microsoft Research Managing Director, Eric Horvitz. Eric recently posted a CCC blog post on the Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence. The Summit will feature three keynote speakers and a panel: July 8: Opening Keynote 8:30–9:15 A.M. PT (11:30 A.M.–12:15 P.M. ET): Jeannette Wing, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Research Panel: Progress in AI: Myths, Realities […]

The next WATCH talk, called The CHERI Processor: Revisiting the Hardware-Software Interface for Security is Monday July 6, 2015 from Noon-1pm EST. The presenter is Dr Robert N.M. Watson. Robert is a University Lecturer in Systems, Security, and Architecture at the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory. He has a strong interests in open-source software, is on the board of directors of the FreeBSD Foundation, and was founder of the FreeBSD Project. He earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge. Abstract   The last five years, supported by DARPA’s CRASH and MRC research programmes, SRI International and the University of Cambridge have been engaged in a project to revisit the fundamentals […]

In May, the Computing Community Consortium (CCC) commissioned members of the research community to generate white papers to help guide strategic thinking in autonomous systems in a number of different domain specific areas, including Aerial Earth Science, Construction, Defense, Disaster Management, Healthcare, Paths Towards Autonomy, Service Robots, and Transportation Systems. The CCC has released eight white papers. The Toward a Science of Autonomy for Physical Systems white paper frames both the opportunities and challenges posed by autonomous physical systems in general. We contend that, in most cases, the potential human and economic toll of not exploring and understanding automation science in a timely and thoughtful manner far outweighs the costs or risks. The associated […]

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has a new public access plan called Today’s Data, Tomorrow’s Discoveries that was released in March to increase access to the results of research funded by NSF. Public access is intended to accelerate the dissemination of fundamental research results that will advance the frontiers of knowledge and help ensure the nation’s future prosperity. NSF’s plan is grounded in the realization that clear and open communication of research results is central to fulfilling NSF’s primary mission of promoting the progress of science. NSF will implement its public access requirements in stages. In the first implementation, the following products of NSF-funded research are in scope: Articles in peer-reviewed journals […]

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to work closely with senior White House officials and science and technology (S&T) policy analysts in OSTP’s topic-based divisions. These internships are open to interested students from all majors and programs. Applicants are encouraged to apply for one of three terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer), each term lasting no more than 90 days. Currently, the application for the Fall 2015 term is open. These positions are without compensation; however, students may be eligible to receive academic credit from their respective college or university. Please see the How to Apply and Frequently Asked Questions pages for more information on […]