Regional Centers

SIGCOMM Regional Centers strengthen the global networking research community by supporting locally anchored hubs that foster participation, collaboration, and long‑term engagement in regions that have historically been underrepresented in SIGCOMM. These Centers serve as ongoing points of connection between SIGCOMM and local researchers, educators, and students. Their mission complements SIGCOMM’s broader diversity and inclusion initiatives, which include the Ambassadors Program, Conference Pods, and access to the SIGCOMM Diversity Coordinator. [en.wikipedia.org]

A Regional Center provides a focal point for year‑round community building. Centers may host seminars, workshops, reading groups, mentoring activities, or local research meetups. They often act as gathering places for students and researchers to engage with SIGCOMM materials, participate in virtual events, and build the foundations of a stronger local networking ecosystem. In doing so, Regional Centers advance SIGCOMM’s long‑standing outreach mission to broaden participation and ensure that researchers everywhere have opportunities to access the community, as highlighted in SIGCOMM’s public statements and community‑building efforts. 

Because Regional Centers operate continuously, rather than only during conference cycles, they help create sustained engagement, enable mentorship networks, provide visibility for local researchers, and strengthen ties between SIGCOMM and institutions around the world. In many regions, a Center can become the anchor around which a robust networking community grows.

How to Get Involved

If you are interested in establishing a Regional Center, SIGCOMM welcomes inquiries. Traditionally, Regional Centers have been hosted by well‑established institutions or groups with strong academic or community infrastructure. However, SIGCOMM aims to reach communities of all sizes and levels of development, so any institution or group with a committed core of organizers is encouraged to express interest.

SIGCOMM can also help connect you with an existing Regional Center in your area. If you share your region, or, where relevant, your underrepresented community or group, SIGCOMM will direct you to the closest or most appropriate Center so you can participate in local activities, join events, or explore collaboration opportunities.

To inquire about founding a Regional Center or to be connected with the nearest existing Center, please contact SIGCOMM through the usual communication channels (e.g., by contacting us at ec@sigcomm.org).