Why does this matter?
The current coalition government in Aotearoa New Zealand made a very strong pivot in research funding to what they say is likely to make money in the short term. That is research that is near commercialisation in their opinion. This massive change is not supported by evidence or research. In fact, it is funding basic / foundational / fundamental research that has made the big changes economically from the mid 20th century onward. Their policy changes are already hurting a resource starved research system that matters to the everyday lives of Kiwis. See "Scientists left ‘homeless’ after governement’s job cuts, advocates say“ and “Underfunding our future — the human face of science cuts” for a start.
What will you learn?
- How big the shift in policy is
- How commercialisation of public research typically happens in New Zealand
- How it came to be this way
- History of Intellectual Property
- A few local examples
- Alternatives to the extractive venture capital approach
- Future of IP and Commercialisation
About the speaker
Rob Elshire is a genomics technology innovator whose tools are being used all over the world in ecology, agriculture, horticulture, environmental monitoring, etc. He has spent over 20 years at top research universities (R1) in the United States. He has formal training in entreprenuership, commercialisation of research, and intellectual property. He has a deep appreciation of the power of the scientific method and those who practice it -- particularly for the good of the public they serve.
An email with the meeting link will be sent to you after you register.