Broadening University and Industry Engagement Symposium Report
On December 3, 2019, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and UIDP hosted the Broadening University and Industry Engagement symposium at Stanford University. The symposium brought together more than 90 leaders and experts from the private sector, academia, and federal, state, and local governments to identify opportunities to broaden and strengthen cross-sector engagement across the science and technology enterprise. In addition to senior staff from OSTP, federal government participants included leadership from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST).
This report was developed with input from staff at UIDP, OSTP, and IDA’s Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI). It includes a summary of the presentations and the open, candid discussion, which lay the foundation for six key takeaways:
There is a pressing need to unify policies across federal agencies—and to provide clarity on current policies—around common issues like foreign engagement and data sharing.
There is urgency to address the opportunities and challenges posed by industries of the future, including quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
Partnerships can be strengthened by improving awareness of cross-sector engagement opportunities and engaging industry early in the process.
Cross-sector engagement can stimulate critical partnerships to build our nation’s S&T workforce of the future.
Federal government, academia, and industry are considering and exploring innovative partnership models.
Cross-sector partnerships bring about vital state, local, and regional economic returns and successful models that could be scaled across the nation.
UIDP is grateful to Kelvin Droegemeier, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and to his staff for their significant contribution to both the symposium and report. We would also like to thank Kathryn Ann Moler, vice provost and dean of research at Stanford University, for her active participation and assistance.
Related Resources
See the interview with Kelvin Droegemeier on the value of building cross-sector partnerships.
See the symposium presentations and materials.
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