About ACM's Public Policy Office

Global Policy, Government, and Public Affairs

ACM has a dynamically diverse and global reach. The ACM Public Policy Office coordinates the association's activities to inform and improve public policy. ACM seeks to educate policymakers, the computing community, and the public about policies that will that foster and accelerate innovations in computing, computing education, and related disciplines in ways that benefit society. 

ACM provides independent, nonpartisan, and technology-neutral research and resources to policy leaders, stakeholders, and the public about public policy issues. ACM's contributions to public policy are drawn from the deep technical expertise of the computing community. Our policy members apply their expertise and experience to bring relevant scientific research, best practices, and foresight of technology advances to public policy issues. Through policy statements, issue briefs, white papers, and reports, ACM delivers knowledge-based analysis and educational materials to advance policy leaders' understanding. 

Highlights of Our Public Policy Activities

ACM provides independent, nonpartisan, and technology-neutral research and resources to policy leaders, other stakeholders, and the public about public policy issues, drawn from the deep expertise of the computing community.

• Our activities are covered by media outlets in Europe and the United States.
• We publish a monthly newsletter on technology policy issues for audiences around the world.
• We reached 40,000+ users through our blog and social media in the first 5 months of 2017.
• We educated 200+ congressional staff and tech policy leaders during this past year through our briefings, events, and webinars. 
• We contributed to multistakeholder discussions as panel speakers, discussants, and advisory experts.
• We provide technical comments responsive to proposed regulations with far-reaching implications for the computing field and society. Browse our comments.
• We provide thought-leadership on cutting-edge technology policy issues. Browse our statements.
• We provide detailed, analytical, scientifically sound, and technically accurate policy recommendations and analyses to high-level federal decision makers in Europe and the United States. Browse our policy reports.
• Read about our key highlights.

ACM's Public Policy Entities

ACM's network of policy entities work to advance policy leaders' understanding of topical computing-related issues. For policy issues requiring in-depth expert analysis, these entities work with specialists within ACM's Special Interest Groups and substantive committees. ACM's policy entities also coordinate their efforts across national, regional, and international policy arenas. 

• ACM US Technology Policy Committee
• ACM Europe Technology Policy Committee
• ACM RISKS Forum

Advocacy Coalitions and Initiatives

ACM and its public policy committees participate in several education, science, and technology policy coalitions and multistakeholder forums. 

• Task Force on American Innovation - ACM
• Code.org Advocacy Coalition – ACM
• Data Science Education Roundtable - ACM
• Computer Science Education Coalition – ACM Education Policy Committee
• STEM Education Coalition Policy Forum – ACM Education Policy Committee
• Congressional STEM Education Caucus – ACM Education Policy Committee
• Privacy Coalition – ACM U.S. Public Policy Council
• CDT Digital Privacy and Security Working Group – ACM U.S. Public Policy Council
• Science|Business Network – ACM Europe Policy Committee

Connect with Us

Stay informed of ACM’s technology policy activities and the latest public policy developments.

• Director of Public Policy Blog
• Twitter @acmpolicy
• Email us [email protected]