University Research Council

January 9, 2003

Meeting Summary

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TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION ALLIANCE

Dan Bates from the Office of the Provost discussed the Technology Commercialization Alliance. The Alliance is a multi-pronged effort, coordinated through the Office of the Provost, to help members of the University community commercialize inventions. It is designed to close the gap between the creation of a new product and its introduction on the market. To date, the commercialization process has been decentralized, with no clear focal point at the University; the Alliance should become a one-stop-shop for technology commercialization. The Alliance also should foster a more entrepreneurial culture at the University.

REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH

Mike Crouch, Director of the Office of Research, discussed several issues:

· The repercussions of the federal budget crunch on research at the University.

· An upcoming videoconference on confidentiality in research.

· Staffing issues at the Office of Research.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

Copyright Policy

The Office of General Counsel is examining proposed revisions to the copyright policy. The revised draft will be presented to the Council when the Office of General Counsel completes its review.

Department of Energy

The new director of research at the Department of Energy is redirecting the research efforts of the Department. Targeted meetings with individuals at the Department may help garner research funds for University faculty.

Proposal Workshop

The grant-writing workshop will focus on the social sciences, although certain aspects of the workshop will also be directed towards a more general audience. Members of the University faculty with expertise in proposal-writing will speak at the workshop.

Research Expertise

Many universities have difficulty advertising their research successes. The Faculty Research Interests Project (FRIP) at the School of Medicine could provide a good model for the University.

Social Science Funding

The upcoming federal agencies trip will focus on the social sciences and the humanities.

MISCELLANEOUS

The University hosted a nanotechnology symposium on December 16. Nanotechnology research at the University was highlighted, and the formation of the University's Institute of NanoScience and Engineering was announced. Roughly 100 individuals from both industry and academia attended the symposium.

Senior research administrators from four Pennsylvania universities, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Pennsylvania State University, met in Harrisburg to discuss how their schools can create a state-wide research center that analyzes issues related to national preparedness.