Coleman says partnerships are key to research future

Securing industrial and academic partners will be the key to maintaining university research budgets in tight fiscal times. That's the message delivered May 3 by President Mary Sue Coleman to a science policy forum in Washington, D.C.

Speaking to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Coleman said technology transfer, entrepreneurship and collaboration are crucial to keeping research moving forward.

"Whether our federal funding grows or contracts, universities must look to every potential partner to help grow and exploit our research and development," Coleman said.

Coleman cited the University Research Corridor in Michigan—consisting of U-M, Michigan State and Wayne State—as one example of an academic collaboration to build on the strengths of the three universities to advance technology. As for corporate partners, Coleman discussed how Google is locating 1,000 jobs in Ann Arbor based on the educated workforce available locally. And she said the recent shutdown announcement for Pfizer has brought together state and local governments, the University and community leaders to mobilize on how to redevelop the Pfizer site and create new jobs for displaced workers.

She ended by calling upon scientists to help explain to the public the value of their research.

"If we do not have the advocacy of the public, we will not be successful with research funding," Coleman said.

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