Evan S. Michelson

Approaches to research and development performance assessment in the United States: An analysis of recent evaluation trends

Recent trends associated with performance assessment and evaluation in US Government R&D agencies are analyzed by, first, giving a contextual overview of three Government-wide performance assessment schemes and, second, illustrating how these and other approaches are employed in four federal R&D funding agencies. While focusing on the rise of bibliometric analysis as an evaluation technique, the broader aim is to help those interested in performance assessment, domestically and internationally, to understand the system of R&D evaluation in the USA. Major trends in standardization of performance assessment practices, the utilization of quantitative evaluation methodologies, and the development of new hybrid approaches have emerged over recent years. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Nanomaterials in Consumer Products

Exposure assessment is crucial for risk assessment for nanomaterials. We propose a framework to aid exposure assessment in consumer products. We determined the location of the nanomaterials and the chemical identify of the 580 products listed in the inventory maintained by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. It was found that in 19% of the products the nanomaterial were nanoparticles bound to the surfaces. Nanoparticles suspended in liquids were used in 37% of the products, whereas 13% used nanoparticles suspended in solids. One percent were powders containing free potentially airborne nanoparticles. Based on the location of the nanostructure we were able to further group the products into categories of: (1) Expected to cause exposure; (2) May cause exposure; and (3) No expected exposure to the consumer. Most products fall into the category of expected exposure, but we were not able to complete the quantitative exposure assessment mainly due to the lack of information on the concentration of the nanomaterial in the products — a problem that regulators and industry will have to address if we are to have realistic exposure assessment in the future. To illustrate the workability of our procedure, we applied it to a product scenario — the application of sun lotion — using best estimates available and/or worst case assumptions.

Measuring the Merger: Examining the Onset of Converging Technologies

This chapter describes some of the key indicators and metrics that support the conjecture of convergence. It first provides a general description of what is meant by converging technologies, then points toward some specific examples indicating that this convergence is already beginning to occur. Indicators that can be used to detail how the process of convergence occurs are government spending, university programs, inter-firm strategic alliances, intra-firm technological expansion, and patent citations. The chapter concludes with policy recommendations.

Innovation in horizon scanning for the social sector: an introduction to the Searchlight function

Purpose – The Rockefeller Foundation has developed the first‐of‐its‐kind trend monitoring effort in the philanthropic and broader social sector, conceptualizing and operationalizing an approach that surfaces cutting‐edge intelligence with a distinctly on‐the‐ground perspective from individuals and institutions living and working throughout the developing world, known as the Searchlight function. The Searchlight function consists of a network of forward‐looking, regionally focused horizon scanning and trend monitoring organizations that conduct regular, ongoing scanning for novel ideas, research results, and “clues” as to where the world is evolving. This article aims to focus on the Searchlight function and to introduce the Special Issue.Design/methodology/approach – The article describes the goals and evolution of the Searchlight function, an important set of lessons learned, and an overview of the synthesis and visualization efforts that have been applied to the Searchlight outputs.Findings – The insigh...

Falling Through the Cracks? Public Perception, Risk, and the Oversight of Emerging Nanotechnologies

Nanotechnology is expected to be the key technology of the 21st century. Researchers are exploring ways to see and build at this scale, reengineering familiar substances like carbon and silver to create new materials with novel properties and functions. However, the emergence of nanotechnology also provides us with an opportunity to reshape how the public perceives the governments ability to manage risks posed by new technologies. As the first wave of nano-based products-including cosmetics, dietary supplements, food additives, and consumer products-enters the market, society will begin to ask questions about the health, environmental, and safety implications of these materials. The purpose of this paper is to connect the current state of such public perceptions-both with respect to nanotechnology, in particular, and to emerging technologies, in general-with the current state of nanotechnology product development and to analyze how well situated the public sector is to deal with these challenges.

Foresight for smart globalization

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the concept of smart globalization and identify links with the Rockefeller Foundations philanthropic activities in a number of areas, including health, climate change, urbanization, economic insecurities, and basic survival needs.Design/methodology/approach – The paper addresses how a new conceptualization of globalization intersects with the field of foresight by describing the Rockefeller Foundations approach to addressing complex issues of human development.Findings – A forward looking research component is a valuable organizational structure that can add value by tracking and monitoring current and emerging trends relevant to the Foundations strategic framework, operational initiatives, and areas of work.Practical implications – The paper suggests a closer interaction of foresight and development experts and practitioners by suggesting that individuals in both disciplines need to work more closely together to coherently address the multitude, interl...

Conclusion: “Foresight for smart globalization” synthesis statement and recommendations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to conclude the special issue on the topic of pro‐poor foresight.Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a draft synthesis statement and selected recommendations to emerge from the “Foresight for smart globalization” workshop.Findings – There is a need for change at all levels of governance to address the challenges of global poverty, and efforts are needed to foster and improve national foresight capacities.Originality/value – Adding poverty as an explicit dimension of existing and future foresight activities is a key component of fostering pro‐poor decision making.

The future of science and technology and pro‐poor applications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the overall lack of focus of existing foresight analysis concerning the future of science and technology on the issue of poverty. The paper looks to re‐orient the technology foresight community to adopting an explicit pro‐poor perspective when considering future developments in science and technology (S&T).Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a general overview of existing technology foresight studies from organizations located in North America, Europe, and Asia. By describing the key points made in a selection of foresight studies, the paper emphasizes the conceptual links between forward‐looking analysis related to S&T and poverty‐related issues.Findings – The paper reaches two main conclusions about the role of S&T foresight and development. The first is that the foresight research community needs to interact more closely with the development community in order to enhance the value of the findings in each field to the other. Second, the pr...

Nanotech Ethics and the Policymaking Process: Lessons Learned for Advancing Equity and Equality in Emerging Nanotechnologies

Drawing on his experience in the Woodrow Wilson Center Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, as well as his experience in strategic planning and international development, Evan Michelson urges those interested in equity to engage with decision-makers. Michelson offers a number of lessons to help those with a desire to make the development of nanotechnology more equitable have a significant effect. He recommends that advocates aim to influence nano agenda setting as early as possible, develop proof of concept examples for pro-poor applications, build public and policymaking constituencies, communicate explicitly the anticipated equity and equality impacts, and use diverse empirical research methods.

The Transformation of African Academies of Science: The Evolution of New Institutions.

Over the past few years, a push to reverse the overall paltry state of science academies in the developing world has emerged as a central theme in numerous reports and has garnered the attention of a variety of organizations, including The National Academies in the United States. In particular, the establishment and maintenance of well-organized and functioning national academies of science throughout Africa is becoming an increasingly essential and crucial element of their overall prospects for development. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to analyze the particular institutional traits and characteristics related to African science academies—including their small member-ships, lack of finances, little experience with policy advising, and worries about government backlash—and to argue that, because of these factors, these institutions must work to find suitable activities that will allow them to leverage whatever resources they do have to become effective policy advisors for government.