Research, Science and Tech Parks: Global Best Practices Book Release

Newswise — The National Research Council of the National Academies will release the Academies’ new report, Understanding Research, Science and Technology Parks: Global Best Practices, on September 22nd at the U.S. Capital Building. Senator Mark Pryor, D-AR, will give opening remarks.

The National Resource Council report details findings from the National Resource Council symposium held in 2008, examining the role of S&T parks as sources of innovation and regional growth and their contributions to government missions and commercializing university research. It highlights the broad range of S&T parks, including both university- and laboratory-based parks as well as large-scale industrial models. Additionally, it reflects the strategies devised by a number of European and Asian countries to develop S&T parks. While recognizing the diversity of objectives and the differences in scope and scale of activity, the report identifies common challenges faced by S&T parks both in the U.S. and abroad, including evaluation and the need for appropriate metrics.

“There is rising interest in high growth clusters and S&T Parks and appropriate policy support here in the United States, an interest mirrored in the rapid growth and government support for S&T parks around the world. This report is thus both timely and a potentially important contribution to policy making,” remarked Dr. Charles Wessner, Director, Science, Technology and Entrepreneurship, National Research Council.

Brian Darmody, Associate Vice President for Research and Economic Development of the University of Maryland and incoming President of AURP remarked that “research, science and tech parks are crucial components of a national innovation strategy, which the U.S. clearly needs to formulate. I know this report will help clarify the critical elements of such a strategy.”

About AURP: The Association of University Research Parks is a professional association of university related research and science parks. AURP’s mission is to foster innovation, commercialization and economic growth through university, industry and government partnerships. For more information, visit AURP’s Web site at www.aurp.net or contact Chelsea Simpson at [email protected].