1 00:00:00,060 --> 00:00:02,760 We're very fortunate to have Dr. Sandy Brown, 2 00:00:02,760 --> 00:00:09,210 who is the vice president of research and I think economic development correct economic in your title somewhere. 3 00:00:09,210 --> 00:00:13,740 No, no. Under your purview, OK? So she's the chief research officer. 4 00:00:13,740 --> 00:00:23,850 I always get it's always best to say Chief Research Officer at UCSD. UCSD is one of the pillars of academic excellence in the United States. 5 00:00:23,850 --> 00:00:33,120 Since I was a student in the late seventies. Till today, UCSD has transformed itself into truly one of the world's leading academic institutions. 6 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:39,880 Sandy is a leader within a group called You, and they've done some work, and I'm going to turn it over to her to tell you about that. 7 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:57,960 So sandy. Well, good morning, everyone, and for those of you who are West Coasters of the United States like me, happy midnight. 8 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:09,570 I was so impressed with the my first attendance at IUid that started yesterday for me, if the discussions, 9 00:01:09,570 --> 00:01:19,200 the thoughtful insight that was shared yesterday is a reflection of what UDP does and is all about. 10 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:22,920 We're in good hands. The universities of the future are in good hands. 11 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:37,830 I want to thank Tony for the invitation and the kind introduction and the organisational staff actually for helping me be able to make it here today. 12 00:01:37,830 --> 00:01:51,450 And what I'm going to talk about is just what Tony said, that we have terribly wicked challenging problems facing the world today, 13 00:01:51,450 --> 00:02:02,370 and universities and industries along with government are a key part in creating solutions to those problems. 14 00:02:02,370 --> 00:02:14,220 And I have the good fortune this year of chairing the Council on Research for a plea to the Association for Public and Land Grant Universities, 15 00:02:14,220 --> 00:02:17,940 about 400 universities across the United States. 16 00:02:17,940 --> 00:02:31,450 And what we've done this year, by way of an initiative I think strongly supports what you UI is all about the focus. 17 00:02:31,450 --> 00:02:40,360 There we go. The focus for the initiative I'm going to share with you, which is called public impact focussed research, 18 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:49,480 is really a strategic effort that reflects the transformative movement that you all and others are creating. 19 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:57,070 It really is a reflection of bringing together many efforts the National Academy of Sciences, 20 00:02:57,070 --> 00:03:05,830 Engineering and Medicine, for example, NSF, the Technology Transfer Evolution Report, amongst others. 21 00:03:05,830 --> 00:03:15,190 And it is a bringing together of these efforts that really focus on the role of universities and 22 00:03:15,190 --> 00:03:23,320 improving lives by solving or at least mitigating problems that we can no longer do in a single lab. 23 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:28,780 We can't do them in a single discipline. We can't do them in a single university. 24 00:03:28,780 --> 00:03:35,800 And we can't do them with a single industry. Even a single government agency can't do them. 25 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:43,600 What it is all about is relationships working collectively, cooperatively, 26 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:52,240 enabling efforts across these organisations to improve society in the future by advancing human knowledge. 27 00:03:52,240 --> 00:04:04,630 And I will say to you that even when we go back to the initiation of the modern university in 1888 in Europe, 28 00:04:04,630 --> 00:04:10,420 the focus was on generating knowledge that would have long term value for society. 29 00:04:10,420 --> 00:04:16,090 So in a way, we're not doing anything new, we're just doing our job well. 30 00:04:16,090 --> 00:04:17,920 Copan yesterday said. 31 00:04:17,920 --> 00:04:28,960 Truly transformative opportunities lie in the coordination, and he was talking about coordination with Congress, public private partnerships, 32 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:35,740 which were all about here and new incentive structures in what this initiative, 33 00:04:35,740 --> 00:04:46,780 public impact focussed research is all about is just that those three things universities are doing this all over the world. 34 00:04:46,780 --> 00:04:55,810 We see it in things like grand challenges. Think grand at UCLA, bridging barriers at UT Austin. 35 00:04:55,810 --> 00:05:03,880 These are just a sample of the types of projects that universities are putting themselves in 36 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:08,050 the middle of big problems that they've identified that are important to their communities, 37 00:05:08,050 --> 00:05:17,320 whether the community is local, national or international, and see themselves as having a role in solving these. 38 00:05:17,320 --> 00:05:29,800 As Tony was saying, it is noteworthy that even though universities are engaged in more of this type of effort today than ever before. 39 00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:39,130 If we look at the public surveys about the perception of universities, we are being steadily devalued. 40 00:05:39,130 --> 00:05:43,750 That is, we're doing more with more powerful public impact. 41 00:05:43,750 --> 00:05:51,490 And yet the perceived value of universities is decreasing. 42 00:05:51,490 --> 00:06:04,390 So PR Public Impact Focussed Research Initiative is really an effort to clarify the efforts that universities are making to enhance those efforts 43 00:06:04,390 --> 00:06:15,790 and to improve public awareness of that that is done in fact completely in conjunction with university partners and and and government partners. 44 00:06:15,790 --> 00:06:24,310 The goals of PR are to develop a common language for us to be able to describe what these activities 45 00:06:24,310 --> 00:06:30,460 are about and to better showcase them in a way that the person on the street can understand. 46 00:06:30,460 --> 00:06:37,420 Our government officials can understand our industry partners can not just understand but speak. 47 00:06:37,420 --> 00:06:42,940 We can speak collectively about this using the same language. 48 00:06:42,940 --> 00:06:43,540 Additionally, 49 00:06:43,540 --> 00:06:53,290 we want to be sure that we use this opportunity to encourage universities to expand the public impact folk focussed research that they do 50 00:06:53,290 --> 00:07:02,270 pay attention to their portfolios and the potential impact of research that they're doing on their communities and with their communities. 51 00:07:02,270 --> 00:07:08,510 It's important that we have a way of we all love metrics, right, of identifying these things. 52 00:07:08,510 --> 00:07:19,110 Tracking these and communicating these and what are the best practises in doing this, as well as identifying and mitigating the barriers. 53 00:07:19,110 --> 00:07:26,180 You know, yesterday I heard a mention again of disciplinary silos. 54 00:07:26,180 --> 00:07:36,920 Well, I would say that our problems are not just with disciplinary silos or even disciplinary silos, but but the issues. 55 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:49,100 The challenges in engaging and publicly relevant and impactful research really is in the engagement process with partners, universities and industry. 56 00:07:49,100 --> 00:07:58,520 It's also internal. It's the incentives that universities have for the people that they pay us faculty members, 57 00:07:58,520 --> 00:08:08,600 and it's the alignment of the strategic vision of the university and the infrastructure with those goals. 58 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:26,480 And then finally, I think the last challenge is really the ability to consistently and collectively share that those findings. 59 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:31,010 We have over 50 universities deeply involved in this. 60 00:08:31,010 --> 00:08:39,890 About 65 people participated in in many workshops, and almost 200 universities were involved in national surveys. 61 00:08:39,890 --> 00:08:47,090 Because, of course, we like metrics and the basic findings. 62 00:08:47,090 --> 00:08:52,670 Conclusions which will come out in the report in November are that this peer is in 63 00:08:52,670 --> 00:08:58,340 fact an overarching concept that's growing in a number of forms across universities, 64 00:08:58,340 --> 00:09:04,700 and that meant much of this engagement is underway. But under the radar to the public, 65 00:09:04,700 --> 00:09:11,900 peer conveys how an increasing amount of university research is done in collaboration 66 00:09:11,900 --> 00:09:20,240 with and in service to the public and the premier universities of the 21st century. 67 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:26,130 Century need to intentionally engage in this and in these associated partnerships, 68 00:09:26,130 --> 00:09:38,100 as we're talking about in this conference and quickly address the barriers that are impeding such research. 69 00:09:38,100 --> 00:09:46,830 The recommendations from that report are that national organisations like Apple, You and AEW, 70 00:09:46,830 --> 00:09:53,340 which is now a co-sponsor, communicate about PR and the importance to the stakeholders, 71 00:09:53,340 --> 00:10:03,450 encourage this type of activity and actually that we come together to use the same language in the same typology so that the 72 00:10:03,450 --> 00:10:12,000 public can understand how universities are working with industry partners and government to solve problems that they have. 73 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:22,560 It's important for universities to foster sustained an external industry and community partnerships. 74 00:10:22,560 --> 00:10:26,640 I'm very proud, for example, of the fact that in San Diego, 75 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:34,560 the mayor now refers to the University of California, San Diego as the R&D arm of the city. 76 00:10:34,560 --> 00:10:42,990 I think there's no better spokesperson for a university than leaders in the 77 00:10:42,990 --> 00:10:48,810 community that are articulating value that the university brings to the community. 78 00:10:48,810 --> 00:10:58,860 We want universities to ensure that these kinds of initiatives reflect the institutional culture that is, they aren't top down and arbitrary. 79 00:10:58,860 --> 00:11:10,740 Certainly, they can occur fortuitously by Connexions that are made between individuals, but they should be part of the strategic plan of a university. 80 00:11:10,740 --> 00:11:18,030 And we need to invest in ways that we collectively communicate about this. 81 00:11:18,030 --> 00:11:24,000 So what's next? I said about 50 institutions have been involved. 82 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:31,500 These leaders research leaders from across the nation, including several who are here today, 83 00:11:31,500 --> 00:11:37,890 Pramod, I see you sitting up there, participated on those workshops or in work groups. 84 00:11:37,890 --> 00:11:45,000 We had workshops and did a very broad survey across universities in the United States, 85 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:54,090 and we plan for the report to be something that Tony said the words you don't like to use somewhat of a toolkit. 86 00:11:54,090 --> 00:12:06,510 It could be a menu, but really it is a reflection of the best practises, exemplars and best practises in these collective efforts in the triple helix, 87 00:12:06,510 --> 00:12:16,710 if you will, in its participation while it was launched through the Council on Research. 88 00:12:16,710 --> 00:12:26,160 We have active involvement with the Council on Governmental Affairs, the Commission on Economic and Community Engagement and as I mentioned to you. 89 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:34,440 We really need to have people speak with a singular voice, presidents and chancellors should be using the same language the provost, 90 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:41,940 our industry partners and our state and federal legislators, as well as other funding agencies. 91 00:12:41,940 --> 00:12:47,880 To the extent that we can do that, then it may not be that we change what we do, 92 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:58,820 but we change the discussion by how we describe what we're doing and the impact and collective power of that. 93 00:12:58,820 --> 00:13:17,150 So I'm particularly interested in how Apple you can partner with UI DP in ensuring that this report and the impact of their report is maximised. 94 00:13:17,150 --> 00:13:25,010 So I'd love to hear from you. We will have a draught of the of the report done in just a matter of weeks. 95 00:13:25,010 --> 00:13:31,130 And so I'd love to hear from you about any suggestions that you have, 96 00:13:31,130 --> 00:13:44,880 because the more that we can bring together our efforts collectively, the more powerful this will be. 97 00:13:44,880 --> 00:13:54,720 I thought since I had the podium, I take a moment to give you an example of how at UC San Diego, 98 00:13:54,720 --> 00:14:03,990 we actually walk the walk that is not only do we believe that this is important, but we try to incorporate this into our culture. 99 00:14:03,990 --> 00:14:09,950 As many of you may know, we've been designated as an innovation and economic prosperity university. 100 00:14:09,950 --> 00:14:21,780 We we take that seriously. We know that we are committed to to economic and community development and growth and prosperity in our community. 101 00:14:21,780 --> 00:14:27,720 The Washington Monthly routinely ranks us at the top when you consider research, 102 00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:34,830 the social mobility of our students collectively and our public service. 103 00:14:34,830 --> 00:14:39,210 We have a robust research budget annually. One point two I'd like to. 104 00:14:39,210 --> 00:14:46,830 That number is ah, it should be changed to one point three. So this is a few weeks old and I want to update my my slides here. 105 00:14:46,830 --> 00:14:52,500 But here you're an example of some of the types of things that have been developed at UC 106 00:14:52,500 --> 00:14:59,190 San Diego that are important initiatives that have been done with our community partners. 107 00:14:59,190 --> 00:15:08,310 We have a centre for ethics in science and technology critical for the future, particularly in the omics areas. 108 00:15:08,310 --> 00:15:12,840 The Centre for Climate Change that developed or it was initiated at the Scripps 109 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:17,760 Institution of Oceanography Artificial Intelligence for Healthy Living Centre. 110 00:15:17,760 --> 00:15:23,640 While this focuses across the lifespan, it has a particular focus on the ageing population, 111 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:30,930 older populations and the way ways we can use A.I. and technologies to him and enhance 112 00:15:30,930 --> 00:15:37,110 the quality of life and help people live in their homes for longer periods of time. 113 00:15:37,110 --> 00:15:46,020 Our Tata Institute on Genetics and Society is targeting a cure for malaria. 114 00:15:46,020 --> 00:15:52,020 Our community stations for global justice is a set of a number of stations were 115 00:15:52,020 --> 00:15:58,080 that were developed with communities in the most impoverished areas in San Diego, 116 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:06,690 and they are designed to help the communities with the things that they have decided our most of most value to them. 117 00:16:06,690 --> 00:16:13,470 And we're conducting research, social research in the context of that, as well as some technology development. 118 00:16:13,470 --> 00:16:16,860 Finally, I mentioned the Border Solutions Institute, 119 00:16:16,860 --> 00:16:26,700 which is a compilation of City University partnerships all across the border between the United States and Mexico. 120 00:16:26,700 --> 00:16:32,880 All four of the states with universities and cities part partnering on the 121 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:38,400 northern side of the border and similarly on the southern side of the border. 122 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:45,270 Think of the power of that to do digital twin studies of problems, 123 00:16:45,270 --> 00:16:54,930 to look at issues that relate to water and energy and etc. So we are engaged in this kind of work. 124 00:16:54,930 --> 00:17:05,640 We're committed to it. We think it's of value and it's simply an example of what I'm talking about with public impact focussed research. 125 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:07,620 So with that, I know my time's up. 126 00:17:07,620 --> 00:17:17,190 I want to thank you all for the opportunity to share with you what PR is and the effort of Apple you and you in in this endeavour. 127 00:17:17,190 --> 00:17:25,050 I think we have a lot of common common interest and and goals, and I would look forward to input on that report. 128 00:17:25,050 --> 00:17:35,110 Thank you. Although any questions before we left. 129 00:17:35,110 --> 00:17:39,650 Yes, I was watching my time, so I thought it was already over. 130 00:17:39,650 --> 00:17:47,100 Good. Yes, certain sacrifices were very good. 131 00:17:47,100 --> 00:17:54,680 I really like the emphasis on success in communicating to the public. 132 00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:59,600 But I was reminded of the quote I heard for the first time yesterday about time. 133 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:11,600 All research is applied. It's just a question of timing. And I wonder how how you sort of define what's inside and works outside the air. 134 00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:18,140 Oh, I think that's a wonderful question. That is really is there is this applied research. 135 00:18:18,140 --> 00:18:20,630 Is it only applied research? 136 00:18:20,630 --> 00:18:29,060 And I will be honest with you, I think that this distinction between basic and applied research is a distinction of the past. 137 00:18:29,060 --> 00:18:38,390 We all understand that it is a continuum. It's just when our fundamental research will have an impact on society. 138 00:18:38,390 --> 00:18:47,900 And I would argue and there are some groups of universities and industry partnerships coming together that that really 139 00:18:47,900 --> 00:18:57,920 focus on conducting fundamental research in the context of these social and community problems that you're targeting. 140 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:06,500 I think we can do that. We do that every day in several of the institutes that I mentioned to you. 141 00:19:06,500 --> 00:19:09,950 And I do think it's a misnomer to think about basic and applied. 142 00:19:09,950 --> 00:19:13,250 You know, I'll even take your question one step further. 143 00:19:13,250 --> 00:19:22,340 The reason I think it is so important for us to move away from that distinction is that basic or fundamental research in universities, 144 00:19:22,340 --> 00:19:28,280 it's our foundation and it's deeply appreciated in the academic review process. 145 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:33,320 Applied research is less appreciated yet. 146 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:41,060 There are new products that emerge from applied research, huge international databases for, for example, 147 00:19:41,060 --> 00:19:54,830 that bring new intellectual opportunities and power and take particular intellectual skill to design and develop them in a way that are usable. 148 00:19:54,830 --> 00:20:02,450 I run a consortium of 21 universities and we have such a database on on youth development. 149 00:20:02,450 --> 00:20:09,290 And we need to we need to change the academic review process. 150 00:20:09,290 --> 00:20:21,890 I think not eliminating the criteria that we had before, but really expanding it to include the products that scientists produce today, 151 00:20:21,890 --> 00:20:28,430 not just methods of measurement that were developed centuries ago. 152 00:20:28,430 --> 00:20:32,450 Thanks for your question. More research is needed. 153 00:20:32,450 --> 00:20:42,500 Yeah, I wouldn't say it's all research at UCSD. What I'm really talking about is when there is research that engages in a community problem, 154 00:20:42,500 --> 00:20:47,660 now that community problem could be, you know, the local sanitation issues. 155 00:20:47,660 --> 00:20:52,880 It could be, do we get EV chargers in disadvantaged communities? 156 00:20:52,880 --> 00:20:57,530 It could be climate change solutions. So it could be local. 157 00:20:57,530 --> 00:21:01,700 But but it it is not done exclusively in the university. 158 00:21:01,700 --> 00:21:05,750 This is the engaged research that we do. That's the distinction. 159 00:21:05,750 --> 00:21:12,950 Thank you so much for your question. We have a quick question if we can stick to the temptation to the fastest. 160 00:21:12,950 --> 00:21:16,760 I'm sure you. I'm Tim Softly, University of Birmingham, UK. 161 00:21:16,760 --> 00:21:20,930 I'm sure you're aware that we have this research excellence framework in this country, 162 00:21:20,930 --> 00:21:25,480 which impacts as being a major element for the last, the last two cycles. 163 00:21:25,480 --> 00:21:33,470 And I wonder if in your report, you kind of look to the framework that we have for describing impacts and so on. 164 00:21:33,470 --> 00:21:35,660 Thank you so much for your question. And in fact, 165 00:21:35,660 --> 00:21:44,300 I think there is such synergy between what we're trying to articulate as it's done in the U.S. and certainly that 166 00:21:44,300 --> 00:21:53,240 has been considered as as a premier exemplar because I do I do agree with you it is really research for impact, 167 00:21:53,240 --> 00:22:02,240 as was described by Mark yesterday. Thank you.