Author Archives: Melba Kurman
Like socks labeled “one size fits all,” “one size fits all” university technology commercialization strategy is actually “one size fits no one.” There’s a yawning chasm between diverse, local realities, and what ultimately gets passed off as strategy in mainstream tech transfer policy discussions, scholarly articles, and training workshops. This article is Part II of an earlier article that explored five common challenges in bringing university research to market that hold true at many universities in the U.S. Continue reading
At the risk of stating the obvious, all universities are similar, but each one is different. Just when you think you’ve got a key piece of university tech transfer strategy figured out — like peeling the proverbial onion — you unearth another layer you haven’t even considered. (Actually, in this case, onions are much too stolid and predictable – maybe raking leaves on a windy day would be a better analogy.) Continue reading
We should consider a new certification program for innovation consumer electronics: Fair Trade Electronics. Do you have a cell phone, TV, iPad, GPS or laptop? Odds are good that most of your gadgets are the fruit of an elaborate, global supply chain hired and managed by big, brand name tech companies as HP, Dell and Apple.[i] Behind most sleek, cutting-edge consumer gadgets is a chain of good, old-fashioned human workers. Continue reading
Will investing additional broadband resources in university towns create new inventions that ultimately create high-value jobs? Continue reading
If I had to characterize the year 2011 in the world of university technology transfer, I would describe it as a year of “wait and see.” Of course several notable events happened — for example, patent reform and a Supreme Court case that clarified limitations on university patent ownership. But my sense was that this year’s big events will make their true impact felt over the longer term. Continue reading
A university’s ability to create and share innovative technology and know-how should be evaluated in a holistic way that includes both academic and commercial activities. In this article I compare the innovation transfer activities of U.S. research universities in a new, multi-faceted way: by counting and mapping universities according to their ability to… Continue reading
Recently, you challenged university leaders to step up and find new ways for universities to contribute to their region’s economic well-being. But current university economic development programs may be missing the mark. The bedrock of a region’s economic prosperity will not be built by university programs, patents, spin-offs and entrepreneurship workshops alone. Continue reading
