Becoming a Senior Member of ACM: My Journey and Why You Should Consider It Too
By Dr Adriana Wilde
About a year ago, I made a decision that turned out to be a very rewarding experience in my professional life: I applied to become a Senior Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). In the words on the official website, “as one of ACM’s prestigious Advanced Member Grades, ACM Senior Member status recognizes the top 25% of ACM Professional Members for their demonstrated excellence in the computing field.” [https://awards.acm.org/advanced-member-grades]
Looking back, I can say the process was smooth and also surprisingly enjoyable. If you’re thinking about applying, let me share my story and why I wholeheartedly encourage you to take the leap.
Why I Decided to Apply
For years, I have been a proud ACM member, benefiting from its many resources and networking opportunities. Firstly as a student member (which allowed me to be eligible for reduced registration fees at international conferences, amongst other benefits), but later as a professional member too. Over the years, as my career progressed, I found myself taking on leadership roles, publishing research articles, and collaborating on projects that had a meaningful impact, both within my institutions and externally, within ACM-W Europe and later within ACM Women. However, I did not even consider applying for the Senior Member programme, until Ruth Lennon (then chair of ACM Women) encouraged me to do so. This was a personal nudge, to me but also one she made to the readership of our newsletter, in her closing message for 2023: “Have you considered applying for senior membership? We would love to see more women applying” [https://women.acm.org/acm-w-chair-review-of-2023/]. It seemed like the ideal moment to seek formal recognition for my work as a distinguished professional, and I wanted to pay forward what Ruth had done for me by sharing my experience with the application process.
The Application Process
One of the reasons why applications from women are proportionally low is perhaps due to the process requiring a self-nomination with endorsements from senior members. For me, that had also been the first barrier, partly due to the infamous imposter syndrome: I just did not want to nominate myself (maybe you think like that too?) The mere idea felt daunting. I started questioning: Would my accomplishments measure up? Would I have to provide lots of evidence about these? How complicated would the application be? However, after looking into it, I quickly realised that the process was merit-based yet very straightforward. Here’s a quick rundown of what it entailed:
- Eligibility: I needed at least ten years of professional experience in computing (✅ check!), and five years in the last ten as an ACM professional member (✅ check!!) It was useful to read that educational qualifications can count towards professional experience (for full details, visit the Senior Member nominations page [https://awards.acm.org/senior-members/nominations].)
- Nomination Form: I had my university CV up-to-date, so I could fill out the form quickly, particularly the sections on educational background, professional experience, and accomplishments. There was also space to articulate what I had contributed to the field—this was the harder part but a rewarding exercise to engage in, taking stock of my achievements and reflecting on how these are aligned with ACM values.
- Endorsements: I also needed three endorsements from colleagues familiar with my work and that of the ACM. Over the years, I have been fortunate to collaborate with brilliant, supportive peers. So, after consulting with three esteemed Senior Members, I provided their contact details on the form, and the ACM took care of the rest.
The Highlight: Endorsements
Here’s where the process became special. After submitting my application, I reached out to my endorsers to thank them again for their support. To my surprise, two of them shared with me what they had submitted (which, of course, they didn’t have to, as ACM had contacted them directly for them to complete that part of the process.) Reading their words was deeply moving and personal for me. They commented on how they knew me, highlighting my leadership, my ability to mentor others, and the impact of my work as they saw it. It was like receiving a heartfelt career review from people I deeply admire. That alone made the application process worth it.
The Outcome
Only a few months later, in March last year, I received the official confirmation: I was now a Senior Member of ACM. I added this to my email signature as a reminder of the recognition. It’s more than a title; it’s a testament to my commitment to advancing computing and our professional community – a daily encouragement to continue my journey. After all, “along with Fellows and Distinguished Members, ACM’s Senior Members join a distinguished list of colleagues to whom ACM and its members look for guidance and leadership in computing and information technology.” [https://awards.acm.org/advanced-member-grades].
Why You Should Apply
It is now *my* turn to encourage *you* to apply, just as Ruth encouraged me a year ago. If you meet the eligibility criteria, I can’t recommend applying enough. Becoming a Senior Member of ACM isn’t just about the recognition—it’s about celebrating your journey and the people who have supported you along the way. If you’re considering applying, don’t hesitate. The process is an opportunity to reflect, connect, and be celebrated for your achievements. And who knows? A year from now, you might be writing your own blogpost, encouraging others to take this rewarding step. The next deadline is March 3rd, 2025, (midnight AoE) and the journey starts here!
Dr Adriana Wilde is a Lecturer in Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. She has served in ACM Women as Communications Co-chair since October 2023 and has been a Professional Member of the ACM since 2014, having been a Student Member in 2013-2014.