The Role of Scientific Research in a Downgraded Economy

1. The Role of Scientific Research in a Downgraded Economy Nate Benya Sarah Abla Rob Hough Ryan Boardman Katie Beckwith

2. Introduction • Research = Progress • Proven throughout history • Creation of jobs, technology, business • Continue to support both private and government funding of scientific research

3. A Brief History of Scientific Research • Alexander the Great • Franklin D. Roosevelt • National Science Foundation Image courtesy of: comicbookreligion.com Image courtesy of: wikihistoria.wikispaces.com Image courtesy of: nsf.gov

4. The presentation will cover… • Global and national impacts of scientific research • Funding methods • Private vs. Government • Affects on a downgraded economy

5. Global and National Impact of American Scientific Research • National and international effects • First in scientific research • 21% of publications, $400 billion in R&D • Other countries increasing research • BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) • China projected to surpass the U.S. in publication output

6. Funding Cuts • In March 2011, University leaders and U.S. Senators discussed effects of university-based research on the economy • Fuels economy • Industrial innovations • Compete in global economy

7. “Our system of higher education and research has been the envy of the world. Federally funded university research has been a driving force in our economy since World War II and has helped the U.S. lead the world in science, technology and innovation that make a difference in our lives. However, other nations are watching and emulating us. They realize that research universities are a fundamental component of an innovation economy. We risk losing our competitive edge because we are pulling back at precisely the time that other nations are investing heavily in scientific research. “ • Wallace Loh, President of the University of Maryland

8. University Contributions • University of Pennsylvania • $10 billion • 70,000 employed • Largest non-governmental employer • Southern California universities • $15 billion annually • Largest employers in the region

9. Methods of Scientific Research Funding

10. Government Funded Research • Accounts for 31% of research in U.S. • Variety of Research Topics • Grants and Sub-Contracts • Mass Collaboration on Projects

11. Spectrum of Research Fields

12. Trickle Down Economics

13. Frivolous Research • “Shrimp on a Treadmill” • Foreign Countries • Male Penis Size

14. Private Research • About 64% in the U.S. • Average 3.5% of profits go to R&D • Pharmaceutical & Engineering companies set aside 15-25% • Without new technologies, companies cannot survive • Motivated by profit

15. Government Effects “Private sector capitalization of new technology-based companies should be encouraged through friendly tax and regulatory policies. Needlessly onerous regulations that inhibit cooperate research should be identified and either mitigated or eliminated.” http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/house/science/cp105-b/prsecrol.html

16. Forecasting Economic Impact of Scientific Research • Increase the number of jobs • Immediate economic recovery • Maintain primary power in the global market • New Technology and innovations

17. Increase the Number of Jobs • It is estimated that for every $1 billion of funding creates 15,000 jobs with average salary of $52,000 • Families USA • Many job types will be created

18. Money into Economy • It is estimated that for every $1 billion of funding generates $2.21 billion of new business activity • Families USA

19. U.S. Position In Global Market “Investing in scientific research serves a dual purpose: It is an immediate stimulus to the economy and an investment in U.S. leadership in science, engineering, technology and education. This leadership is vital to the economy and U.S. prestige, as well as to success in such goals as achieving energy independence.” - NY Daily News

20. Staying Competitive • It is important for the U.S. economy to be on the cutting edge of technological advances • U.S. research institutions must continue to attract the brightest minds • Large research budgets

21. Scientific Research Decline in the UK • UK experts have predicted that every £1 billion of research funding cut will result in £10 billion lost from the GDP • Private research has greatly declined along with the public funding

22. Main Points • Creates jobs • Boosts U.S. businesses • Vital for U.S. prestige • Critical for innovations and productivity

23. Conclusion • U.S. history is marked with achievements made possible through scientific research http://www.google.com/imgres?q=wright+brothers&num=10&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&biw=1236&bih=986&tbs=ic:gray&tbm=isch&tbnid=Xk9wmDunWc1NvM:&imgrefurl=http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdwrigh.htm&docid=mBHNOM43IO668M&w=640&h=469&ei=mkGSToKBCcW0sQLEjdXCAQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=271&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=140&tbnw=187&start=0&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&tx=136&ty=20 http://www.google.com/imgres?q=apollo+11+man+on+the+moon&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&biw=1236&bih=986&tbs=ic:gray&tbm=isch&tbnid=RCIn0eAeZAfm6M:&imgrefurl=http://majorhitwaves.wordpress.com/2009/07/20/man-on-the-moon-40-years-later/&docid=FTKN1-_LPQBLLM&w=425&h=425&ei=-UGSTtP0POeCsgLm7pSEAQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=465&vpy=329&dur=1825&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=103&ty=134&page=1&tbnh=146&tbnw=146&start=0&ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0 http://www.concordatwatch.eu/showkb.php?org_id=867&kb_header_id=849&kb_id=7941

24. Conclusion • America is the primary power in the global scientific research community • Partnership between government and independent organizations http://spinner.cofc.edu/grice/resources/logos.html?referrer=webcluster& http://www.ima.umn.edu/~cesma001/

25. Support Funding for Scientific Research…Know Your Facts • U.S. domestic and international status • Both government AND private funding • Research only relevant topics • Funding separate from stimulus packages • Immediate job creation and maintained status in the global economy

26. Questions? Contact information: • Katie Beckwith – katbeck@pitt.edu • Nate Benya – nate.benya@gmail.com • Sarah Abla – saa32@pitt.edu • Rob Hough – rjh46@pitt.edu • Ryan Boardman – rmb82@pitt.edu

27. Citations • http://www.nsf.gov/about/history/timeline60s.jsp#1960s • http://www.globalsherpa.org/research-science-technology-international • http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-03/tsc-ups033111.php • http://www.sciencecoalition.org/images/assets/TSC%20Local%20Economic%20Examples%2011%20Feb%2009.pdf • http://www.nationaljournal.com/nationalsecurity/nasa-largely-spared-big-cuts-in-obama-budget-20110214 • http://www.oecd.org • http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/house/science/cp105-b/prsecrol.html • http://familiesusa2.org/assets/pdfs/global-health/in-your-own-backyard.pdf • http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/01/15/2009-01-15_to_stimulate_the_economy_invest_in_scien.html • http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8052735/Science-funding-cuts-will-cost-UK-economy-billions.html OTHERS NOT REFERENCED: • http://www.npr.org/2011/08/23/139852035/shrimp-on-a-treadmill-the-politics-of-silly-studies • http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/29/report-budget-cuts-would-leave-military-hollow/?page=all • http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2010/aug/27/scientists-fight-funding-spending-review • http://www.aps.org/policy/reports/popa-reports/upload/growth.pdf • http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/26/opinion/la-oe-mooney-science-20101226 • http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/science/docs/10-917-economic-impacts-uk-research-council-system • http://www.utoronto.ca/progris/pdf_files/BASICRES.pdf