IEEE has lost much of its connection to modern industry. Many people in industry see IEEE as primarily an academic organization focused on research rather than the practical applications of technology. Research is important, but it requires funding. Much of that funding comes from companies. If IEEE is to retain its value for both its academic as well as industry members it must provide value for companies and its members in industry as well as its academic members.
What are some ways that we might attract industry and members from industry back to the IEEE? Here are some ideas. Consider developing new types of electronic information services. For instance, could we use machine learning capabilities to help members find the most useful information for their particular interests and needs – maybe this could be a very personal magazine/journal that spans all the publications in the IEEE, picking articles or parts of articles that could help that member with a particular question or problem.
Learning from the pandemic, we should consider continuing the virtual element of many conferences. These can attract more people to our events, including folks from industry who otherwise wouldn’t have the time or budget to travel to an IEEE conference. Also, since the costs for virtual events are much less than physical events, virtual attendees can pay a lower registration, also helping to attract more participants.
Some other ideas, some being tried, include: greater IEEE participation in various industry trade shows, participation of IEEE and IEEE members in industry-wide activities (this could, for instance, leverage folks from the Roadmaps group in the IEEE Future Directions Committee), creating new types of standards that provide value for modern industry and creating IEEE local groups within companies in a section and doing things like promoting IEEE senior membership and fellow nominations from that company.
I am eager to hear your ideas and any good experiences you have had in creating greater value for industry and members from industry from participation in the IEEE. To achieve its full potential, IEEE must have value for those who put technology into practice as well as those who develop new technologies.
Join me in discussing how the IEEE can create stronger connections with industry at our next town meeting at 8 AM PT on July 20, 2021. Register for this event!