For decades now, Americans and humans across the world have enjoyed longer and more fulfilling lifespans that can be accredited to innovations in science, engineering, and medicine stemming from the developments and products that have emerged from the research enterprise. Scientists, engineers, and doctors have explored a wide range of questions and problems through basic research, contributing their findings to the broad body of knowledge. Furthering these findings, applied and demonstration research has produced and tested such advancements, thus completing the cycle of research and development, or “R&D”. Previously a leader in R&D, the United States has experienced tragic changes that present challenges to the field of research administration.
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As noted by the SEI [2], “the growing prominence of R&D-derived products and services in the national and global economies” comes from the growing proportion of industry-funded research. The chart shown in Appendix A from the PCAST report represents that steady increase of industry R&D over the past two decades. Looking at this chart, I estimate that non-federal investment in research has exceeded federal support since about 1978. This is perhaps the most important issue that affects the field of research administration. Driven by and focused on economic gains, industries are less likely to support basic research. However, basic research is the cornerstone for scientific, technological, and medical advancements and sadly, “fundamental research done with no specific application in mind has especially diminished.” [1] Going forward, if this issue persists, I foresee a tunnel-vision impact on research ideas and innovation. Using the pharmaceutical industry as an example, I can envision a research enterprise that is governed not by the same commitment to the advancement of knowledge but by the “all mighty dollar”. Industries cannot afford the necessary patience to allow for discovery-driven research developments to reach the …show more content…
Looking at the decline of U.S. investment in global research, the increase in industry sponsored research, the closeness of university research to the marketplace, and the shortage of STEM educated college graduates and technicians, American research administrators could soon experience a rather unfortunate series of events. From being more overworked to witnessing the eradication of the career altogether, research administrators can adopt the proposed solutions to address these issues preemptively. I believe research administrators should lobby and stay involved in the political decision-making process, foster more industry-government collaborations, strive to remove proprietary holds on sharing knowledge developed from these collaborations, and make education and outreach in the STEM fields a priority. These proactive interventions will ensure that the United States resumes its leadership in the global research enterprise and secures a bright future for research administrators across the
As noted by the SEI [2], “the growing prominence of R&D-derived products and services in the national and global economies” comes from the growing proportion of industry-funded research. The chart shown in Appendix A from the PCAST report represents that steady increase of industry R&D over the past two decades. Looking at this chart, I estimate that non-federal investment in research has exceeded federal support since about 1978. This is perhaps the most important issue that affects the field of research administration. Driven by and focused on economic gains, industries are less likely to support basic research. However, basic research is the cornerstone for scientific, technological, and medical advancements and sadly, “fundamental research done with no specific application in mind has especially diminished.” [1] Going forward, if this issue persists, I foresee a tunnel-vision impact on research ideas and innovation. Using the pharmaceutical industry as an example, I can envision a research enterprise that is governed not by the same commitment to the advancement of knowledge but by the “all mighty dollar”. Industries cannot afford the necessary patience to allow for discovery-driven research developments to reach the …show more content…
Looking at the decline of U.S. investment in global research, the increase in industry sponsored research, the closeness of university research to the marketplace, and the shortage of STEM educated college graduates and technicians, American research administrators could soon experience a rather unfortunate series of events. From being more overworked to witnessing the eradication of the career altogether, research administrators can adopt the proposed solutions to address these issues preemptively. I believe research administrators should lobby and stay involved in the political decision-making process, foster more industry-government collaborations, strive to remove proprietary holds on sharing knowledge developed from these collaborations, and make education and outreach in the STEM fields a priority. These proactive interventions will ensure that the United States resumes its leadership in the global research enterprise and secures a bright future for research administrators across the