SSTI Digest

If one of the keys to competing in a flat or flattening world is better integration of universities into the economic system, then one of the best ways to measure success is to examine industry's share of academic R&D expenditures. Based on the National Science Foundation's Academic Research and Development Expenditures: Fiscal Year 2003 (detailed tables available at: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf05320/htmstart.htm), SSTI has prepared a table showing industry's share of total academic R&D expenditures in 2003.

Whether you use Outlook, Palm, Day-Timer, Filofax, or Post-Its to keep track of the items on your "To Do" list, make sure these two items on your lists to be wrapped up by next Tuesday, Sept. 20:

While biotechnology focused on medical applications garners most of the attention, agricultural biotechnology is a high priority for a number of states. But ag biotech has generated significant concerns in some regions because of its emphasis on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). While three counties in California have banned the use of GMOs, three others rejected a ban in last November's elections; Sonoma County voters will decide whether to enact a moratorium in November.

Those concerns were sure to be heightened when the government of the United Kingdom confirmed earlier this week the existence of the first genetically modified (GM) superweed. The superweed is a result of GM oilseed rape crossbreeding with a common weed in a farm scale trial.

Over the past few years, annual surveys from the National League of Cities (NLC) have reported grim findings on the fiscal status of cities across the nation with little hope for turnaround in the near future.

The average budgets for local and regional economic development organizations fell nearly 3 percent between 2004 and 2005, according to the second annual survey by ACCRA. The vast majority of the 750 respondents are involved in economic/community development research and traditional economic development activities, including facility and site development marketing, infrastructure development and planning, and community marketing.

University R&D is considered a fundamental element of innovation and technological competitiveness. If R&D spending equates to more R&D, then the 10 percent increase between 2002 and 2003 as reported by the nation's academic community to the National Science Foundation (NSF) would be a rosy sign for America's future.

Aggregate academic R&D expenditures in 2003 totalled $40.077 billion, up from $36.37 billion in 2002. The burden of funding for academic research continues its shift toward government and away from the nation's industrial community.

Over the period 1998-2003, Oregon saw the largest percent change in its academic R&D expenditures funded by industry sources, according to the National Science Foundation's latest survey (see the above story). The northwest state, which had more than one-and-a-half times the amount of such expenditures funded by industry sources in 2003 as it had in 1998, was joined by only Maryland and South Carolina as states experiencing a greater than 100 percent increase over the period.

For more information on the positions below, visit SSTI's online Job Corner at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

Research Specialist, Senior - University of Arizona

Collect and analyze data and prepare reports on technology-based economy in the Tucson region and in the state of Arizona. Salary: DOE plus University of Arizona benefits. Review begins Sept. 21, 2005, and continues until filled. The University of Arizona is an EEO/AA - M/W/D/V Employer.

Automation Alley has named Thomas Anderson as president of the Automation Alley Education & Research Institute. Mr. Anderson also is director of the consortium's Technology Center.

President Bush has nominated Santanu Baruah to be Assistant Secretary for Economic Development for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Mr. Baruah's responsibilities include oversight of the Economic Development Administration.

John Gardner has been named the first vice president for research and economic development for the University of Missouri system.

Automation Alley has named Thomas Anderson as president of the Automation Alley Education & Research Institute. Mr. Anderson also is director of the consortium's Technology Center.

President Bush has nominated Santanu Baruah to be Assistant Secretary for Economic Development for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Mr. Baruah's responsibilities include oversight of the Economic Development Administration.

John Gardner has been named the first vice president for research and economic development for the University of Missouri system.