Changing the Game in Tech: University of Kentucky's Inclusive Approach to Entrepreneurship With Serenity Wright
Release Date: 01/17/2024
Innovation Across Borders: Rodrigo del Canto on Global Technology Transfer
AUTM on the Air
In the industry of technology transfer, diverse perspectives from around the world not only help us understand how things work in other countries but also provide fresh ideas for our own organizations. Joining us today is Rodrigo del Canto, Director of Technology Transfer at iCono UDD in Santiago, Chile. Rodrigo del Canto is a seasoned professional in technology transfer and innovation, holding key roles at iCono UDD. With a background in law and public policy, Rodrigo extensively contributes to academia as a professor at Universidad del Desarrollo. He is actively involved in institutional...
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Innovate, Navigate, Communicate: Dr. Sheila Kadura on Transforming Policy into Tech Transfer Triumphs
AUTM on the Air
The influence of Washington D.C. corridor issues on tech transfer (technology transfer) operations significantly affects tech transfer professionals in several key ways. From navigating the regulatory environments of compliance and IP to funding, to ethical considerations, there’s a lot to unpack when it comes to translating policy into practice. I’m excited to talk with Dr. Sheila Kadura as she shares her wealth of knowledge and experience on tech transfer and regulatory policy. Dr. Sheila Kadura serves as Associate General Counsel at the University of Texas System, where she is...
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EDI Guide: Nine Points to Consider for Fostering Greater Inclusion in Innovation
AUTM on the Air
One of our goals at AUTM is to foster greater inclusion in innovation. We are committed to providing guidance to our members and the wider technology transfer community on important global issues. This episode is about one of the newest EDI guides, the Nine Points to Consider for Fostering Greater Inclusion in Innovation. I’m excited to discuss these new guidelines with Almesha Campbell, Jennifer Gottwald, and Jane Muir. Almesha Campbell and Jennifer Gottwald are members of the AUTM Women Inventors’ Special Interest Group (WISIG). They also contributed to the creation of this report. ...
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A Vision for Tomorrow: Yoichi Oshima on IP, Tech Transfer, and Innovation Analysis
AUTM on the Air
In the world of technology transfer, listening to diverse perspectives from across the globe isn't merely about understanding alternative methodologies; it's fundamentally about unlocking fresh ideas that can be integrated into our own organizations. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Yoichi Oshima, the Vice President for Government and Industry Relations at Tokyo Tech. With a background in electronics engineering, Yoichi possesses extensive experience in both patent examination and semiconductor-related domains. His career has been marked by various significant roles, including...
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Equality in Academia: Investing in Women for Better Science With Janet, Ulrike, and Ursula
AUTM on the Air
Academia plays a crucial role in societal progress, supported by significant public funds allocated to higher education and research institutions. However, this support is compromised by pervasive sexism within academia, leading to the loss of talented women and impeding scientific advancement. Today, we're addressing a critical issue afflicting academia: sexism and its detrimental effects on science and public funding. Our discussion is inspired by the paper "Sexism In Academia Is Bad For Science And A Waste Of Public Funding," authored by Nicole Boivin, Susanne Täuber, Ulrike Beisiegel,...
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Breaking Barriers: The Untold Stories of Women Inventors With Rebekah Oakes
AUTM on the Air
Women's History Month celebrates the vital contributions of women throughout history and into the present day, marking a period where we honor their achievements and resilience across a multitude of fields, notably in areas like technology transfer and innovation. Women have always been at the heart of driving change, with their innovative inventions, pioneering research, and entrepreneurial zeal. Despite the hurdles of systemic barriers and gender biases, their perseverance has significantly impacted the landscape of tech transfer, leaving a lasting legacy. In today's discussion, we talk...
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Navigating Tech Transfer and Early-Stage Technology Acquisition With Leah Speser
AUTM on the Air
I’m excited to introduce Leah Speser, a seasoned expert in technology transfer and commercialization, currently serving as the Senior Consultant for Knowledge Transfer & Commercialization at the Research and Innovation Foundation of the Republic of Cyprus. Leah's experience and expertise in the world of tech transfer are extensive. She has an impressive career that spans academia, industry, and international development. Today, we’re discussing early-stage technology acquisition opportunities, a topic crucial for anyone looking to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of technology. Leah...
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Shaping A More Inclusive Intellectual Property World With Derrick Brent
AUTM on the Air
Creating positive change in the world of emerging technology requires more than just innovative ideas. It demands a commitment to fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to contribute and thrive. This means implementing intentional practices, programs, and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive innovation. By ensuring access for women, people of color, indigenous peoples, individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other underrepresented groups, we can pave the way for a more successful and inclusive...
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Celebrating Black Entrepreneurial Excellence: A Glimpse into Spelman's Center for Entrepreneurship with Dr. Grant Warner
AUTM on the Air
The entrepreneurial landscape in the United States is rich with talent and innovation, evidenced by the nearly 3.6 million Black-owned businesses, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. These enterprises, which employ around 1.3 million individuals across 4% of these businesses, are a vibrant testament to the resilience, inventiveness, and entrepreneurial drive within Black communities nationwide. Yet, despite their notable impact, Black entrepreneurs face persistent challenges, including limited access to capital, educational resources, networking, and mentorship. These barriers have...
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Immortalizing The Untold Stories of Black Inventors with James Howard of BIHOF
AUTM on the Air
As February unfolds, we're thrilled to kick off a special series in celebration of Black History Month, a time to honor the significant contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout history. Today, we're excited to chat with James Howard, the Executive Director of the Black Inventors Hall of Fame (BIHOF). James Howard wears many hats: he is a college professor, design historian, entrepreneur, industrial designer, inventor, and restaurateur. He brings more than 25 years of teaching experience in design and has created a course on Design Thinking and Design History, examining...
info_outlineThere's more to commercialization than just the impact of technology being transferred. This episode focuses on social innovation in technology and the University of Kentucky's Office of Technology Commercialization's unique approach. It's not just about developing, but also managing entrepreneurship programs with a focus on inclusive innovation. This ensures fair access to training for underrepresented innovators in Kentucky.
I'm joined by Serenity Wright, the Associate Director of Social Innovation at the University. Holding a doctorate in policy, measurement, and evaluation, her rich background includes teaching high school, leading diversity initiatives at Transylvania University, and roles in city government and the Gatton College of Business and Economics. Committed to social equity, she's also involved in various community boards and the Mayoral Commission for Racial Justice and Equity.
In This Episode:
[04:09] Serenity shares how the Social Innovation program is fostering positive change. The positive pennies philosophy.
[08:58] Getting programs and opportunities to people is fostering inclusion. People need to see a clear map on how to get there.
[10:52] How long does it take to get from disclosure to market abstract? How many antiquated policies need to be reviewed or changed? Building an inclusive ecosystem is at the core of everything they do.
[12:34] Serenity talks about programs like UAccel at University of Kentucky that make the social innovation program an "and".
[15:52] Solutions that partners and the faculty are creating are critical to their roles at the unit institution.
[17:46] They also have a community engaged pre seed accelerator. They also bring community-based solutions to their faculty. They partnered with Queer KY with key initiatives about mental and physical health.
[20:08] Being a connector, friendship, and humanity is what the work they are trying to do is about.
[21:09] Some things they have been doing include presentations, tracking press releases, listening, and engaging.
[24:52] Last year, they executed contracts for just under a million dollars in innovation.
[29:36] The University's Quality Enhancement plan is grounded in translational education knowledge and bringing faculty to work together in the community.
[33:00] The social Innovation team also presents at AUTM.
[36:40] The sustaining piece is about infrastructure and working with leadership.
[40:56] Serenity talks about metrics and the many things they track and measure. Impact metrics also tell them what people need.
[44:30] Relationships and being engaged have a lot to do with understanding the impact and the data.
[45:33] Serenity shares some of their bigger wins including patents and proof of concept funding.
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