Mission and Action Plan

BASIC
The Regional Voice for Innovation in Science and Technology

BASIC is an action-oriented collaboration of the region’s major research universities, national laboratories, independent research institutions, and research and development-driven business dedicated to:

• Supporting science-related initiatives at the regional, state and federal levels
• Developing science and technology projects and sharing new insight with other research and development entities
• “Bringing science to the people” through targeted outreach efforts

BASIC’s strength is based on the direct leadership of its Board of Directors and the value of its projects in advancing the Bay Area’s leadership in science, technology and innovation.

BASIC 2008 MISSION

• Create local and global innovation networks in cutting-edge science and technology
• Identify factors that promote or inhibit innovation
• Advocate for an innovation-rich environment

Specific BASIC projects are being developed under each element of the mission.

BASIC 2008 PROJECTS

Create Local and Global Innovation Networks in Cutting-Edge Science and Technology

Accomplishments

• Held first Bay Area Innovation Network Roundtable — a gathering of regional visionaries to share thinking on the driving forces of innovation — April, 2007.
• Based on ideas generated at April roundtable, published first in a series of innovation reports: “Identifying Emerging Patterns of the Next Wave of Innovation” — April, 2007.

Pending Projects

Build collaborative networks
Build networks across industry, university and government sectors to address science and technology problems and use power of collaborative networks to enhance competitiveness and explore newer forms of innovation.

Project Value: The global challenge on innovation can only be met through collaborative action. This project will establish a roadmap for that action.

Project Leader: Wayne Johnson, Vice President, University Relations Worldwide, HP

Status: Held second innovation network roundtable — January 2008
“Addressing the Next Generation Innovation Ecosystem”
Second in series of roundtable reports in progress

Promote Bay Area leadership in the global economy
Ascertain the changing role of the Bay Area in global innovation networks and use it to determine and promote action that may be necessary by government, laboratories, universities, entrepreneurs and investors in the region to promote Bay Area leadership.

Project Value: Maintain the unique innovative role of the Bay Area in talent attraction and economic, institutional and thought leadership.

Project Leader: Dr. Robert J. T. Morris, Vice President, Services Research, IBM

Status: Seeking BASIC “Fellow” to design project and demonstrate the Bay Area Fellow model
RFP refined and finalized
$50,000 Fellowship — depending on quality of proposal

Identify Factors That Promote or Inhibit Innovation

Accomplishments

• Produced first-of-its-kind report on major energy technologies: “Innovative Energy Solutions from the San Francisco Bay Area: fueling a Clean Energy Future” — June, 2007.

Pending Projects

Assist in the promotion of scientific technologies emerging from Bay Area laboratories that could grow into Bay Area strengths
Explore the emerging technologies that lead to alternative fuel production and other non-medical uses of biotechnology.

Project Value: This project will test the key elements constituting the innovative environment necessary for advancing the Bay Area’s leadership in emerging technologies.

Project Leader: Dr. Regis B. Kelly, Director, QB3

Status: Project in early design stage

Strengthen the Bay Area’s science and technology talent base
As a first step in meeting 21st century challenges to our science and technology talent base, BASIC obtained the perspective of industry, research universities, national labs and recently graduated scientists on the expanded skills required at the scientist and managerial levels to better compete in today’s global arena.

Project Value: This project highlighted possible disconnects between industry needs and university educational mission and established the foundation for collaborative action by industry, universities and government.

Project Leader: Corey Goodman, President, Pfizer Biotherapeutics and Bioinnovation

Status: Held roundtable discussion with research universities, national labs and bioscience executives focused on challenges and potential actions.
Report will be produced — Fall 2008

Annually select and celebrate the Bay Area’s “Ten Most Innovative Technologies”
Highlight the leadership of the Bay Area as a hub for innovation across the many science and technology industries critical to the region’s global competitiveness.

Project Value: This project will celebrate the innovative spirit of the region — applauding past game-changing innovations (demonstrated impact), saluting new innovations (cutting-edge) and highlighting the achievements inspiring our future scientists.

Project Leader: Mark Bregman, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Symantec Corporation

Status: Project in design stage
Award event: May — June 2009
Publication will be developed summarizing winning innovations

Increase regional pride in scientific achievements by producing report highlighting Bay Area centers of scientific and technological innovation
Publish brief descriptions of institutions that foster innovation, including the societal benefits expected to emerge from the innovations. (Piece will start with BASIC member organizations.)

Project Value: The Bay Area is a global leader in innovation — we must document that leadership.

Project Leader: BASIC Board of Directors

Status: Early stages of developing report

Programs by other science outreach entities in which BASIC is participating
COPUS — Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science

National grassroots effort — mission: greater public understanding of the nature of science and its value to society.
COPUS has declared 2009 as the Year of Science.
Website: www.copusproject.org
BASIC is an active member.