Advancing University Innovation:

More Must Be Expected—More Must Be Done

by: John E. Tyler III* Download whitepaper

© 2009 John E. Tyler III.
* John E. Tyler III is the General Counsel and Secretary for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. He is also the Chair of the Board for the Kauffman Innovation Network, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization begun as an outgrowth of the Foundation’s support of university efforts to advance university innovation.

Article:

I. INTRODUCTION
Far too much otherwise usable university research fails to find its way to advanced stages of research, commercial products, or other uses.1 Given the fundamental nature of much university research, a certain amount of this research will appropriately reach its potential with publication and classroom instruction, but a substantial volume of these innovations instead deserves life in products, services, research
tools and methodologies, and other uses. Unfortunately, exploitation of university innovations does not seem to be what it could be and is significantly below its potential for evolving to later stages of research, advancing human welfare, and spurring economic growth. Of course, there are success stories that should be celebrated, but when measured against potential and opportunity, much more must be expected from and more must be done by industry, government, universities, and their respective leaders. Congress has declared and reiterated that our country’s federal policy shall be to support and pursue the usefulness of the fruits of research conducted using federal money, including
through increased collaboration between and among industry, universities, and government.2 (read full article [PDF])

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