Applications are made by either recommendation from a current member of UKCRC or direct to the UKCRC Secretariat - ukcrc@bcs.uk for passing on to the Chair of the Membership Panel.
In both cases, a letter of support from a UKCRC member is expected.
Each new applicant will be asked for a CV and any relevant documents to support the application.
Members are expected to actively support activities such as contributing to government consultations within their area of expertise, or organising or participating in events that further UKCRC’s key aims.
Please view the Frequently Asked Questions on Joining UKCRC
Selection criteria
UKCRC welcomes applications from researchers in both academia and industry; academics must have demonstrated international research leadership; industry researchers must have demonstrated that they are taking a leading role in Computing research and/or its application.
Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals who have a passionate interest in research policy, and the ability and commitment to help shape research policy.
We provide examples of leadership indicators below.
Typically, UKCRC members have a number of such elements or similar ones in their profiles. The application must also provide evidence of upholding BCS/IET standards, conducting oneself professionally and fairly at all times.
We suggest structuring the application in such a way that it highlights such leadership or that the CV is accompanied by a statement highlighting those indicators.
Indicators of national industry leadership include, but are by no means restricted to (and in no particular order)
- Having been or being a CTO, Director of R&D, Fellow, “Outstanding Researcher”, “Master Inventor” (or a similar denomination) of large companies.
- Having a track record in leading successful tech start-ups.
- Having a significant record of awarded patents.
- Being a Fellow of a recognised learned society, for example highly competitive fellowships such as IEEE, ACM, Royal Acad. of Engineering, or at less competitive fellowships such as IET or BCS.
- Taking a leading role in professional societies.
- Being a recipient of a prize for industrial innovation (for example BCS Technology Excellence Awards, IET Innovation Awards, Queen’s Award for Industry).
- Playing a leading role in a Standards body.
- Being a member of industrial advisory boards for leading universities.
- Being responsible for setting research/development strategies within their company.
- Having a tangible record of publications, including the publication of professional articles or books, or columns in professional magazines.
We also welcome applications that are not from an individual but from companies with a portfolio that meet the criteria exemplified above.
Indicators of international research leadership include, but are by no means restricted to (and in no particular order)
- Having a world-class publication record.
- Having a distinguished publication record complemented by a significant record of awarded patents (especially for mixed academic/industrial careers).
- Editing a leading journal.
- Chairing a premium conference programme committee.
- Being invited to speak at high-impact/prestigious research events (e.g., major international conferences).
- Chairing an international research society.
- Being the recipient of an international research prize or award (such as those made by ACM; “research award” in this sense is not the same as “research grant”).
- Having a particularly strong citation record.
- Playing a leading role within an internationally respected industrial or academic research group.
- Being a Fellow of a recognised learned society, for example highly competitive fellowships such as IEEE, ACM, Royal Acad. of Engineering, or at less competitive fellowships such as IET or BCS.
The UKCRC Membership Panel comprises a minimum of four elected members of UKCRC and may also include nominees from the IET, BCS, and CPHC, to consider and approve applications for membership.
Following receipt of an application, the Chair of the Membership Panel will consult with the other members of the Membership Panel.
The decision is then emailed to the Chair of the Executive Committee and he/she advises the applicant of the Panel’s decision and the outcome.
If successful, the UKCRC Secretariat will contact the applicant to request the title they wish to be displayed on the UKCRC website and a link to their personal page.
In addition, they will be added to the JISCMail distribution list.