Governance Studies at Brookings: A. Alfred Taubman Forum on “Improving Science and Technology Innovation in the United States” Tuesday, June 8, 2010

May 26, 2010
The United States long has led the world in science and technology innovation.  Indeed, America’s economic and political success over the past 50 years has centered on advances in science and technology.  Yet there are troubling signs of slippage in American innovation.  Last year, for example, was the first time that non-U.S. innovators filed more patents than Americans. 

To discuss ways to improve the climate for science and technology in the United States, we have assembled distinguished leaders from government, higher education, and business in our inaugural A. Alfred Taubman Forum.  These individuals will share their thoughts on policy actions that will improve the climate for science and technology in the United States. How can we maintain the sense of innovation that has made our country a world leader?  How can we keep our nation from slipping against new innovators around the world?  What are the changes in funding, facilities, training, and policies that need to be made in order to further American competitiveness? 

8:00 AM:  WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS (Continental Breakfast)

• Strobe Talbott, President, The Brookings Institution
• Darrell West, Vice President and Director, Governance Studies, The Brookings Institution

9:00 AM:  A NEW VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

• Aneesh Chopra, U.S. Chief Technology Officer and Associate Director for Technology, Office of Science and Technology Policy, The White House
• Vivek Kundra, Federal Chief Information Officer, Office of E-Government and Information Technology, Office of Management and Budget, The White House
• Phil Weiser, Senior Advisor to the National Economic Council Director for Technology and Innovation

10:00 AM:  THE ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

• Ruth Simmons, President, Brown University
• Eva Feldman, Russell DeJong Professor of Neurology and Director of the ALS Clinic, University of Michigan

11:00 AM:  ISSUES IN INNOVATION

• Michael Holston, General Counsel, Hewlett Packard
• Robert Braun, Chief Technologist, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NOON:  A CONGRESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE (LUNCHEON)

• Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN, Sixth), Chairman of House Committee on Science and Technology

For more information, click here.

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