Industry-academic research partnerships

Research partnerships between industry and academia are grown through relationships, a desire for innovation, and opportunities for sponsorship. Relationships mature through the mobility (virtual or otherwise) of academics, graduates, and seasoned industry professionals. From an industry perspective, innovation is driven by a need to grow product portfolios, market share and rejuvenate the corporate talent pool. Academics may be more motivated by the search for knowledge, the desire to publish, and the need to move education yardsticks by keeping curriculum relevant and mentoring top students. Research in an industry context ranges from in-house "labs" to a hybrid combination of company acquisitions and -- or university partnerships. Tech talks, facilitated workshops, forums, sabbaticals, internships, grants, equipment donations, and corporate philanthropy - not to mention active engagement between researchers - are all part of the mix. Panelists will discuss and debate the merits various of research engagement strategies.