Forces Shaping the U.S. Academic Engineering Research Enterprise

The way in which academic engineering research is financed and public expectations for the outcomes from such research are changing at an unprecedented rate. The decrease in support of defense-related research, coupled with the realization that many U.S. technological products are no longer competitive in the global market, has sent a shock wave through research universities that train engineers. This book argues for several concrete actions on the part of universities, government, and industry to ensure the flow and relevance of technical talent to meet national social and economic goals, to maintain a position of leadership in the global economy, and to preserve and enhance the nation's engineering knowledge base.Table of ContentsFront MatterIntroductionWhat Is Engineering Research and How Do Engineering and Science Interact?What Has Engineering Research Done?Why Is Academic Engineering Research at Risk and Why Should Its Health Be Preserved?Responding to the Changed Environment for Academic Engineering ResearchAcademic Engineering Research in a Changing WorldA View from the Front Lines of Academic Engineering ResearchReengineering the Academic Engineering EnterpriseDefense Budgets and Academic ResearchWhat Should Industry Expect from Academic Engineering Research?Background Paper: The Academic Engineering Research Enterprise: Status and TrendsBiographical Information