Become an ACM Distinguished Speaker

Expectations

Applicants must have a notable record of achievement and active involvement with ACM, as well as a minimum of five years of experience in either academia or industry (or a combination of both).

Academic research applicants should have a distinguished record in high impact scholarly publications, which will be evaluated along with your ACM Digital Library profile.

Industry-based applicants, need to show evidence of impactful contribution to the field and expertise in a specific topic of interest to ACM members.

Distinguishing factors such as impactful software development, standards development, or contributions to policy can be considered for both academic and industry applicants.

The information on this form will be sent to the ACM Distinguished Speakers Program Committee for their approval. You will typically hear from ACM Headquarters within four weeks.

If accepted, your ACM Speaker term will be for three years.

Conditions

Consistent with the goals of the DSP as an outreach program, participation in the DSP is intended to provide value to the computing community, and further the goals of the ACM as a scientific and professional organization. It is not intended as an individual recognition program. As such, participation in the ACM Distinguished Speaker Program is at the discretion of ACM. Please see the ACM Advanced Member Grades if you are seeking individual recognition.

ACM supports and encourages a diverse and safe environment for both speakers and participants of events. DSP speakers are governed by the ACM Code of ethics and ACM's Policy Against Harassment. Serious violations of professional ethics by speakers, including acts of academic and professional misconduct, may result in a speaker being removed from the roster of DSP speakers.

The ACM policy on harassment applies to all ACM activities, including talks by Distinguished Speakers. Please note, that as per this policy, the ACM reserves the right to take any action ACM deems appropriate. ACM reserves the right to prohibit an individual from participating in future ACM activities, and excluding an individual from ACM leadership positions, both of which apply to speakers on the ACM Distinguished Speaker Program. Applicants will be checked against the ACM Violations Database.

If you have any questions about the approval process, please contact the ACM Speakers Program at speakers@acm.org.