Focus On...The Benefits of University Research

North Carolina is currently undergoing a dramatic economic transformation.  The traditional economic behemoths of tobacco, textiles and furniture manufacturing are facing a battle for survival, and many of these industries are not surviving.  As these industry giants die out, professions like information technology, biotechnology, environmental protection, education, health care and others are taking their place and growing rapidly. Many of these industries look to the University of North Carolina to evaluate their programs and propose more efficient practices for their business.

In Focus On...The Benefits of University Research, UNC-TV examines North Carolina's new economy and the role university research already plays and will continue to play as the state's economic landscape changes. North Carolina Now host Shannon Vickery joins UNC President Molly Broad and representatives from private research organizations in a discussion about how research is influencing North Carolina's economy.

Other panelists include Henry Kelly, president of the Federation of American Scientists; Michael Cassidy, president of the Georgia Research Alliance; Deborah Wince-Smith, president of the Council on Competitiveness; and Victoria Haynes, president of Research Triangle Institute. The five experts give their perspectives on what the new economy is, how research done at the different branches of the university fit in to that economy, and what challenges face faculty researchers in the future.

Additional topics include sustaining partnerships to advocate for university research, legislation needed to sustain and improve research efforts, and current efforts to inform the public about research being conducted at the university.

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