By Alyssa Patrick, Office of Research
PULLMAN, Wash. – Increasing faculty incentives and regional industry and community engagement are among recommendations from a recent report of how Washington State University can better connect its research to non-academic stakeholders.
The External Review of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, commissioned in July by vice president for research Christopher Keane, is aligned with WSU’s land grant mission to conduct research and outreach that benefit Washington’s economy. Increasing the visibility of impact from research will also advance the Drive to 25 initiative launched by President Kirk Schulz.
The Office of Research intends to work with WSU colleges, campuses and administrative offices to implement study recommendations.
The report contains 35 recommended actions across six topics that aim to clarify and support the mission of innovation and entrepreneurship. The recommendations include developing targeted incentives, improving institutional buy-in, streamlining administrative structures and processes and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship on all campuses.
The complete report is at https://research.wsu.edu/documents/2017/03/external-review-of-innovation-and-entrepreneurship-at-wsu.pdf.
The review was led by Glenn Prestwich, the Chancellor’s Distinguished Visiting Professor at WSU Spokane and Presidential Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Presidential Special Assistant for Faculty Entrepreneurship at the University of Utah. He gathered six experts and practitioners in university technology commercialization and entrepreneurial activities from around the country.
Tasked with assessing the opportunities, obstacles and desired outcomes of WSU innovation and entrepreneurship, the team solicited information regarding faculty perceptions, incentives, support structures and policies that impact efforts to connect research on campus to non-academic stakeholders.
Over 600 faculty participated in a survey, and 120 faculty and staff from several groups and campuses participated in site visits.
For more information, contact Brian Kraft, director of innovation and industrial research engagement, at 509-335-3959 or bkraft@wsu.edu.