Research and Leadership in the Modern Age Eamon Kelly, Ph.D.

Background Tulane University – President Emeritus/Professor Association of American Research Universities (AAU) – Board Chair National Science Foundation (NSF), USA – Board Chair National Center for Research on Advanced Digital and Information Technologies (Digital Promise) – Board Chair Global Center for Research on Advanced Digital and Information Technologies (Digital Promise – Global) – Board Chair National Science Commissions Rwanda Korea Others

Basic Concepts Rationale of conference- driving social forces Role of leadership Guiding research principles Setting research priorities Research management

Rationale Demographic forces Resource constrained Develop infrastructure Human Physical Financial Allocate research funds Research management efficiency Government- Political Funding ministries and donors Principle investigators

World Population ~ 3,000 in 75,000 BCE 1 billion in billion in 1927 (123 years later) 3 billion in 1960 (33 years later) 4 billion in 1974 (14 years later) 5 billion in 1987 (13 years later) 6 billion in 1999 (12 years later) 7 billion in 2012 (13 years later)

Leadership

Institutions Habits of thought Ways of doing things Education Science Diplomacy War Corruption Information Technology

Leadership Challenges Equilibrium Projecting needs and priorities Challenge to leadership

Guiding Research Principles

Guiding Principles Development/ Applied Sciences Focus Interdisciplinary International Information technology

Information Technology Nanotechnology Moore’s Law Web-based research Closing digital divide Silver bullet

Information Technology Collaboration 1) Local 2) Regional 3) Global Creation of “Labor Pools” Database Investigators Panelists/researchers Visiting committees M&E staff

Setting Research Priorities

Setting Priorities Government – national goals Funding agency – selects fields of investigation Institutional goals – areas of comparative advantage Principle investigator (PI) – project selection

Collaboration Continuing dialogue on priorities Boards Advisory Boards Visiting Committees Peer review panels Program managers Workshops International contacts Other

Criteria for Success in Priority Setting Autonomy of funding agency Academic freedom for the PI Collaborative approach Transparency Trust across the spectrum

NSF Priorities Health of the Sciences STEM education Environment Nanotechnology Information technology International science and technology

Research Management Allocation of Resources

Funding Agency Autonomous and independent Strategic planning Program design capabilities Careful development Programs take time Systematic and comprehensive program evaluation

Principle Investigators Merit review process: 1) Well funded 2) Flexibility 3) Monitoring and evaluation High-level research objectives International collaboration

Principle Investigators Principles for merit review: Expert Assessment Impartiality Transparency in process Integrity and Ethics

Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning Funding Agency Mission National need Comparative advantage Goals and objectives Resource development and allocation Overcoming constraints Role of Leadership

Strategic Planning Principle Investigator Your own strategic plan Mission and Goals Comparative advantage Overcome constraints Time Financing Other

Future Research Critical Role Era of Science and Development Era of huge population growth Shortage of scientists Overcome constraints Era of global scientist