Computerworld has published a great couple of articles this week regarding the next Administration, technology, and US innovation. They feature a number of folks well-known in the CS community and are definitely worth checking out.
US Innovation: On the Skids
Dear Mr. President: Lets Talk Tech
On October 23, 2008, In American Competitiveness Initiative, Funding, FY09 Appropriations, People, Policy, R&D in the Press, Research, By MelissaNorr
On October 14, 2008, In American Competitiveness Initiative, Events, Funding, FY09 Appropriations, People, By MelissaNorr
As weve discussed here before, DARPA has shifted its research strategy from high risk, high reward to bridging the gap under Director Tony Tethers leadership since 2001. This week the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) held a breakfast with Dr. Erica Fuchs of Carnegie Mellon University who discussed research she had done regarding DARPAs research agenda.
Dr. Fuchs began by talking about her original research in optoelectronics and how she started looking into DARPA as a technology innovator. She went through the history of DARPA and talked about the basic model of DARPA brainstorm a new idea/direction, gain momentum around the idea, build a community, validate the idea with funding from other agencies or industry, and then let others take over the technology as DARPA was not meant to sustain technologies. Dr. Fuchs discussed the change under Tether to 12-18 month reviews with go/no go decisions and that universities are often shut out of the research or must partner with industry to get involved. Dr. Fuchs ended with the shift from Old DARPA with high risk, high reward, open ended research mostly at universities to the New DARPA characterized by “Bridging the Gap” and coordinating the commercialization of research and asked who is/will fund the earliest basic research at universities going forward?
Unfortunately, Dr. Fuchs slides are not posted online at this time. If they become available, we will add a link to the post.
On September 17, 2008, In American Competitiveness Initiative, Events, Funding, FY09 Appropriations, Policy, R&D in the Press, By MelissaNorr
The Task Force on the Future of American Innovation and the Science Coalition held a press conference this morning on Fueling Americas Future–the importance of federal funding for basic energy research. While both groups support a broad basic research agenda, this event emphasized the need for basic research in energy to solve Americas energy crisis. The event, held at the National Press Club, took place before a standing room only crowd. The four speakers were:
- MIT President Susan Hockfield
- Dupont Senior Vice President and Chief Science and Technology Officer Uma Chowdhry
- Intersil Corporation President, CEO, and Director David Bell
- Nobel Laureate and Director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Steven Chu
The speakers all called for an increase in funding for basic energy research and for the next President to take bold action to keep the US competitive in new technologies and discoveries in alternative energy sources. Each of the distinguished speakers brought their own take to the issue, but all spoke to the common goal of energy independence and reducing fossil fuel consumption while helping the environment.
Also featured at the event was a petition signed by over 70 organizations (including CRA) to the two Presidential candidates to focus on basic energy research in the White House to ensure Americas long-term security.
A recording of the event will be available on either the Task Force or Science Coalition website soon. We’ll have the link here when it appears.
Update: Watch the full press event here.
From the CCC Blog
- DARPA Issues PERFECT Solicitation Erwin Gianchandani
- Microsoft Announces New Policy-Focused Internship Program Erwin Gianchandani
- NAE Elects its Class of 2012 Erwin Gianchandani
- NIST to Fund Pilot Projects Advancing Trusted Identities Erwin Gianchandani