About the ConferenceContext: Innovation is a major driver of growth in the modern economy. The science and engineering research that goes on in a state benefits the state as well as the country as a whole. The federal agencies that fund science and engineering, recognizing that all states can and should benefit, set aside some money for the historically less research-intensive states to build capacity, through a program called EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research). However, setting an appropriate climate for innovation to contribute to economic growth requires more than just federal dollars: it requires effective partnerships between academia, industry, and government (both federal and state). The report, "The Future of Science and Technology in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi: Trends and Indicators," (AAAS Center for Science, Technology and Congress) examines the federal funding for science and engineering research and development in those states; the workshop, "The Role of University Research on Economic Development: Partnerships among Industry, Academia and State Government," explored ways for those states to improve the strategic partnerships that enable science-based innovation and economic development. The report was prepared by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), as part of a series of regional reports; the workshop was presented by the AAAS in conjunction with the EPSCoR Programs of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Rationale: Innovation is a major driver of economic growth. University research is a major source of innovation. State policies set the environment for innovation-driven businesses, and state money supports university research. Each sector influences the other, and each sector’s goals are enhanced through effective partnership. What: This workshop was designed to bring together representatives from industry, academia and state government, to develop action plans to enhance strategic partnerships which can enhance science-based innovation and economic development in the host states. Who: Participants were invited in equal numbers from industry, academia and state government from each of the host states. Each of the other EPSCoR states were invited to send a team of participant / observers, with representatives from each of the three sectors. In addition, experts with knowledge and experience of effective partnerships in other states made presentations and served as resources to participants. How: The program included presentations on the current efforts underway in each of the host states and examples of successful partnerships from other states. In working sessions devoted to the host states, participants identifed critical issues and developed action plans (reports: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi) for enhancing collaboration. Why: Under a grant from the National Science Foundation, the AAAS Research Competitiveness Program supports the development of competitive research programs within the 19 NSF-EPSCoR jurisdictions. This conference is the seventh in our series of leadership development conferences on topics related to improving research competitiveness. As such, the conference did not have a registration fee and all on-site expenses for the participants, including food and lodging, were borne by AAAS. |
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