Centers, Universities, and the Scientific Innovation Ecology: A Workshop



Centers, Universities, and the Scientific Innovation Ecology: A Workshop
see also:	Overview Participants Schedule Resources


	Read the final report

The research university is increasingly viewed as an important resource in building national, regional, state and local competitiveness. Federal spending on science and technology research can stimulate the economic growth of a variety of industries. Currently, governments and universities are seeking to advance and deploy intellectual capital for the welfare of the citizenry and, in particular, to promote scientific and technological innovation as a path to strengthening economies. As higher-education institutions adapt and evolve to emerging economic conditions, governmental participation and leadership in initiatives to promote innovation is becoming increasingly important.

This two-day workshop was designed to advance the scientific study of federally funded centers and institutes as key elements in the innovation ecosystem. The workshop brought together engineers and natural, physical, and social scientists to address central questions relating to the role of NSF-funded centers and institutes in science and innovation policy.

This workshop differed from previous workshops in two ways. First, it built on the knowledge base derived from studies of other organizations to develop social-scientific models, tools, and data with which to study organizational entities that can contribute to innovation, with particular attention to federally funded centers and institutes. Second, it directly engaged the focal units of analysis — the centers, institutes, and some related organizational entities — in developing appropriate models, data, and tools for analysis.

The workshop was held March 26 and 27 in Stafford I, Room 375, at NSF headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.

View a full description of the workshop in PDF form here.