SRI International Researchers to Discuss Economic Impact of Research and Technology Programs at Technology Transfer Society Conference

MENLO PARK, Calif., Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development institute, today announced that researchers from SRI's Center for Science, Technology, and Economic Development (CSTED) will participate in panel discussions at the Technology Transfer Society (T2S) conference on November 12 – 13, in Washington, D.C. SRI is a co-sponsor of the conference.

SRI researcher Jennifer Ozawa will present the approach and results of a study conducted with colleague David Cheney evaluating Ohio's Third Frontier program - a portfolio of technology and commercialization programs aimed at catalyzing growth in Ohio's key industry sectors. In 2008, the Ohio Department of Development requested that SRI conduct an assessment of the impact of these programs on Ohio's economy. The results of SRI's study helped place the renewal of the Ohio Third Frontier program on the May 2010 ballot, which passed providing $700 million of new funding.

Researchers Lynne Manrique and Jongwon Park will discuss research presented in a recent paper co-authored with David Roessner on the economic impact of engineering research centers. The paper highlights the results of a pilot study of National Science Foundation (NSF)-supported Engineering Research Centers, a program developed as a government-university-industry partnership focused on advancing U.S. industrial competitiveness.

"The push toward greater accountability and evidence-based program evaluation extends to research and technology development efforts," said Jeff Alexander, Ph.D., senior science & technology policy analyst at SRI, and co-chair of the T2S conference. "Science agencies, universities, and research institutes such as SRI must show the results of investments in R&D. We can't improve our innovation efforts unless we can measure them, and this conference will highlight new methods for doing just that."

At the conference, SRI researchers will describe study methodologies ranging from qualitative case studies to regional input-output modeling. They will also explain how to combine tools, often used separately, into a single mixed methodology that leverages the strength of each while providing a clear statement of impact.

For more information about the Technology Transfer Society (T2S) conference, visit http://business.gwu.edu/t2s/

About SRI International

Silicon Valley-based SRI International is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. SRI, which was founded by Stanford University as Stanford Research Institute in 1946 and became independent in 1970, has been meeting the strategic needs of clients and partners for more than 60 years. Perhaps best known for its invention of the computer mouse and interactive computing, SRI has also been responsible for major advances in networking and communications, robotics, drug discovery and development, advanced materials, atmospheric research, education research, economic development, national security, and more. The nonprofit institute performs sponsored research and development for government agencies, businesses, and foundations. SRI also licenses its technologies, forms strategic alliances, and creates spin-off companies. In 2009, SRI's consolidated revenues, including its wholly owned for-profit subsidiary, Sarnoff Corporation, were approximately $470 million. Sarnoff Corporation, a leader in vision, video, and semiconductor innovations, will be fully integrated into SRI effective January 1, 2011.

SOURCE SRI International