About the Chapter

The UK ACM SIGCSE Chapter is a national community for those engaged in computing education across the United Kingdom. The chapter brings together educators, researchers, and practitioners from higher education, primary and secondary education, and related sectors to share practice, research, and experience.

The chapter operates under the auspices of the Association for Computing Machinery and its Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education, ACM SIGCSE, and provides a UK-focused forum connected to the wider international computing-education community.

How to Join the Chapter

Who can join?

The UK ACM SIGCSE Chapter welcomes participation from individuals involved in computing education, including:

  • Higher-education academics and teaching-focused staff
  • Computing-education researchers
  • Doctoral researchers with an interest in education
  • Primary and secondary school computing educators
  • Others with a professional interest in computing education

What are the different routes to participation?

There are two routes to participation:

  • ACM / SIGCSE membership. For most higher-education academics and researchers, chapter membership normally requires:
    • Membership of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and
    • Membership of ACM SIGCSE.
  • Affiliate membership. To ensure participation across the full UK education landscape, the chapter offers affiliate membership for:
    • Primary and secondary school educators
    • Others for whom ACM membership may not be appropriate or feasible

The ACM/SICGSE membership route supports full participation in ACM governance and international SIGCSE activities. Affiliate members may participate fully in chapter activities and events, and contribute to the life of the chapter, without requiring ACM membership.

What is the process to become a member?

To join the chapter:

  1. Complete the membership form on the website.
  2. Indicate whether you are joining as an ACM/SIGCSE member or as an affiliate member
  3. Opt in to chapter communications and activities

There is no additional fee to join the chapter itself, although some events may charge fees (e.g. conference ticket). Membership is a fixed one-year term, and you will be added to the mailing list. Typically, the board will renew membership for members each year unless a member requests otherwise.

What are the benefits of being a member?

Resources

  • Access to UK SIGCSE mailing list, which includes calls for participation.
  • Opportunities to network with fellow computing science education enthusiasts
  • Ability to vote in Chapter elections
  • Access to membership discounts, if available, for specific events.
  • Podcast on Computing Education

Community and connection

  • A national network of colleagues engaged in computing education
  • Opportunities to connect across educational phases and institutions
  • A forum for sharing experience, challenges, and evidence

Activities, Development and Support

  • Journal Club meets the first Monday of every month to discussed published research and practice in computing education.
  • Annual Works in Progress (WiP) Workshop acts as an opportunity for academics to engage in the workshopping of ideas.
  • Research in Practice Project Activities (RiPPAs) provides a structured approach to conduct long-term research investigations in computing education.

Flagship Annual Events

The chapter supports and promotes two major annual events that form the core of its community activity:

  • Computing Education Practice (CEP) Held annually in January, CEP focuses on sharing and discussing teaching and education practice in computing education.It provides a welcoming forum for educators to exchange ideas, reflect on practice, and discuss innovations in curriculum, assessment, pedagogy, and inclusion.
  • UKICER (UK & Ireland Computing Education Research Conference) Delivered in partnership with the SIGCSEIRE chapter, UKICER focuses on research in computing education. The conference also emphasises building research capacity, supporting researchers and research students, and strengthening the regional computing-education research community.

Together, these events reflect the chapter’s commitment to both practice-focused and research-focused engagement.

How to Get Involved in the Chapter

There are many ways to get involved in the UK ACM SIGCSE Chapter, and members are encouraged to participate at a level that fits their interests and availability.

Attend and engage with Chapter events

For many members, the main entry point is participation in the chapter’s two annual flagship events:

  • Computing Education Practice (CEP) conference. Held annually in January, CEP focuses on sharing and discussing teaching and education practice in computing education.It is a welcoming forum for educators to attend, present, discuss ideas, and learn from others’ teaching practice.
  • UK & Ireland Computing Education Research (UKICER) conference. Delivered in partnership with the SIGCSEIRE chapter, UKICER focuses on research in computing education and on developing research capacity, particularly for researchers and research students in the region.

Members are encourage to engage in regular activities and events, such as:

  • Journal Club meets the first Monday of every month to discussed published research and practice in computing education.

Attending, presenting at, or volunteering at these events is one of the most common ways members first engage with the chapter.

Contribute to activities

Members may also:

  • Volunteer to help with events, workshops, or panels
  • Participate in discussions via mailing lists or meetings
  • Suggest topics, speakers, or activities for future events
  • Suggest work activities and proposals to the board
  • Support outreach across educational phases

These forms of involvement are informal, flexible, and valued by the chapter. Feel you can contribute? Get in touch with a board member or contact event leaders, such as General and Programme Chairs for CEP and UKICER.

If you prefer you can complete the volunteer form, stating in what ways you would like to contribute. This information can then be considered by committees, working groups and event organisers when they need help.

Volunteering is a great way for you to benefit from engagement with the community. Not only does the community get to benefit from your knowledge and skills, but ideally the opportunity will support development of your own skills and knowledge.

Typical and common roles:

  • Reviewer
  • Programme Committee Member
  • Programme Chair
  • General Chair
  • Posters Chair
  • Work in Progress Workshop Chair
  • Website
  • Submissions Administrator
  • TAPS Coordinator
  • Social Events Manager
  • Workshop Chair
  • RIPPA Chair

Move towards governance or leadership

For those who wish to take on a more sustained role, involvement in events and activities often provides a natural route into:

  • Leading working groups or task-focused roles.
  • Appointed board positions.
  • Elected governance and leadership roles.

There is no expectation that members follow a fixed pathway, participation is intended to be open and adaptable.

Contributing to Chapter Governance

All chapter members, including affiliate members, are encouraged to engage with governance.

Members may:

  • Attend open meetings or annual general meetings
  • Provide feedback on priorities, activities, and events
  • Volunteer for working groups or time-limited roles
  • Accept appointment to the board
  • Participate in elections where applicable

Governance is intended to be participatory and accessible.

How does Governance of the Chapter work?

A board comprising of four elected officers and equivalent number of members at large govern the chapter. The board meets four times per year. At these meetings, upcoming events are discussed, as well as any ongoing activity for the chapter.

Officiers

The four elected officers are Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers are elected for three-year terms.

  • Chair: Leads the Chapter, organises activities, and oversees Chapter operations such as related conferences (UKICER and CEP).
  • Vice Chair: Supports the Chair and steps in when needed. Typically succeeds into the Chair role after a chair has been in place for two terms.
  • Treasurer: Oversees finances, in particular reviews and approves conference budgets.
  • Secretary: Manages documentation of board meetings

An equivalent number of non-elected, but appointed, members at-large sit on the board. The immediate Past Chair is one of these appointed members. The four elected officers, plus the immediate past Chair, represent the Executive Committee. The three At-Large members represent the Advisory Committee.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is comprised of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and the immediate Past Chair. No person may hold two positions on the Executive Committee.

All members of, or candidates for, the Executive Committee must be voting Members of ACM, SIGCSE and Chapter.

Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee is comprised of three At-Large members and is designed to support steering of the chapter by members that are not elected. The At-Large members are appointed by an appointment panel.

Vacancies and Appointments.

Chair Resignation. The Vice-Chair will assume the duties of the Chair, if they resign prior to the end of their term. For all other elected posts, the Chair or acting-Chair can appoint an interim officer prior to the next available election and appointment cycle.

Appointment of At-Large Members. The Vice-Chair will convene an Appointment Panel comprising of at least two board members by September 30 prior to the next office term. The Appointment Panel will conduct an audit of the board and devise a list of recommended candidates to fill all open at-large vacancies on the board. The Appointment Panel will confirm candidates ability to commit and serve prior to appointment. The Chair will appoint and confirm candidates at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in January of each year.

Elections

By September 30 in the year prior to the next office term, the Chair will appoint a Nominating Committee that will identify and propose at least two candidates for each elected office on the board.

By October 30 in the year prior to to the next office term, the Nominating Committee will publicise the ballot, i.e. a list of candidates eligible for elected offices.

By November 30 in the year prior to to the next office term, a petition with at least 10% of voting Chapter members can insert other consenting candidates on to the ballot.

At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in January of an election year a simple majority vote will be taken for each elected office role.

Terms begin for elected offices on the 1st of February 2027, 2030, 2033 and every third year thereafter. Elected officers agree to serve and commit to a three-year fixed-term appointment. Elected officers are not allowed to serve for more than two consecutive terms. There is no term limit on ‘at-large’ members of the board. The Chair is expected to commit to a three-year fixed term appointment as Immediate Past Chair. Elected and Appointed Members that are not present for four consecutive board meetings, effectively roll-off the board.