A reflection on the origins, evolution, and future of PRAGMA

Abstract

SUMMARYAll of the papers in this special collection have been shaped by and/or have helped shape PRAGMA. This paper, a reflection on PRAGMA, will provide additional technical, scientific and human context to many of these papers. We hope to illustrate that it is the people who set directions by following their interests or posing questions, who make progress by honoring their commitments, and who build community by establishing open communications and trust. SETTING THE STAGEAs with any research organization, there are factors leading to its origins, there are the critical first steps, the establishments a framework for growth, and the need to evolve, especially when technology and science are evolving rapidly.