PROGRESS Initiative

PROGRESS Initiative

PROGRESS: PROmotinG DiveRsity in Signal ProcESSing

The PROGRESS Initiative of the IEEE Signal Processing Society is a program designed to promote diversity and inclusivity in the field of signal processing, with a particular focus on motivating and supporting women and underrepresented minorities to pursue academic careers in this field. The Initiative recognizes that while there has been progress in increasing diversity among STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) students, there is a persistent lack of diversity among professors and academic leaders in these fields.

By providing support and mentorship to women and underrepresented minorities, the PROGRESS Initiative aims to create a more welcoming and inclusive academic community. This can lead to a wider range of perspectives and ideas being represented in the field of signal processing, which can ultimately contribute to the advancement of the field in various aspects, including research, teaching, and innovation. Increasing diversity in STEM fields has been shown to have numerous benefits, including increased creativity, better problem-solving, and more effective collaboration. By working to promote diversity and inclusivity in signal processing, the PROGRESS Initiative is helping to build a more vibrant, innovative, and productive academic community in this important field.

The PROGRESS Initiative is not just focused on providing opportunities to underrepresented groups, but also on encouraging the academic community to play an active role in developing and implementing policies that promote diversity and inclusivity. This is an important aspect of the Initiative, as it recognizes that promoting diversity requires systemic change and the involvement of all members of the academic community.

The PROGRESS Workshop offers a comprehensive program that includes panel sessions, plenary speakers, professional development activities, and Q&A sessions. The program covers a wide range of topics that are crucial for the success of young researchers, postdocs, and graduate and undergraduate students, with a specific focus on women and underrepresented minorities interested in academic careers. By providing a platform to discuss and learn about these topics, the workshop aims to help attendees navigate the often-challenging academic career path.

The mentoring program offered by the PROGRESS Initiative is another important component of the Initiative. It connects underrepresented groups with senior academic professionals who can provide guidance, advice, and support throughout their academic career. This can be invaluable in helping underrepresented groups succeed in a field where they may face unique challenges and barriers.

Overall, the PROGRESS Initiative has a significant impact in promoting diversity and inclusivity in the field of signal processing by providing a platform to connect, share experiences, and provide the resources, mentoring, and networking opportunities to help attendees succeed in the field. The Initiative is dedicated to creating a more inclusive and diverse academic community in signal processing, which will help to improve the field in various aspects and make it more productive in the long run.

The PROGRESS Workshop

Frequency

The PROGRESS Workshop is held each year at the IEEE ICASSP and IEEE ICIP conferences.

Logo by: Marija Iloska, PhD Student, Stony Brook University

Why attend PROGRESS?

Graduate and under-graduate students who are women or under-represented minorities interested in academic careers will be able to ask questions and find valuable resources as they pursue a successful vocation in academia. What does it take to be successful? How do you find the best position? Why would you choose this vocation?

Attend PROGRESS and discover what a career in academia can offer you.

Who can attend?

Attendance is by application only. Those who are eligible to apply must be a student interested in signal processing related field and be a female and/or an under-represented minority.

Applicants will be required to submit the following material:

• CV: Applicant’s CV (optional for undergraduate students)
• Statement: A brief statement detailing your intent to apply for a Development Grant, in addition to your experience, career plans, and what you expect to gain from participating in the PROGRESS Workshop.

Additional Information

For more information on the PROGRESS Workshop and to apply, please visit the PROGRESS website: