Tech transfer offices in American universities attempt to translate innovations from their research labs into industry and the wider marketplace. Tech transfer’s successes tend to be counted in patents and revenue, but most scientific advances run through larger pipelines of graduating students and journal publications. The Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 attempted to increase the transfer of patents from universities’ labs into licensing to industry. However, as Melba Kurman notes, successful tech transfer has been around decades longer, and the legislation doesn’t solve many problems in the process. Having worked on both sides at Cornell University’s tech transfer office and at Microsoft, she proposes improvements to universities’ process in a series of essays.
I read this book because to investigate using tech transfer to license a new software package I’m developing at my academic medical center. I wanted to learn about typical issues a tech transfer office faces. This book certainly helped me achieve that goal. Although Kurman’s larger aim is to push tech transfer offices forward, her essays helped me identify how tech transfer officers think about their craft.
Despite its engaging tone, this work has a few shortcomings. Its somewhat sloppy grammar can unfortunately distract from its main point. Too many missing periods just do not inspire me. Further, it houses a collection of well-researched essays on a variety of topics but does not advance a central idea or agenda. At its worst, it can sound like an op-ed page in a local newspaper, filled with opinions and perspectives, but no facts building to a grand idea. I say, “at its worst” because it does thoughtfully build arguments within each essay based on researched facts. That’s good. However, as the author notes, the individual essays, usually 5-10 pages in length, do not form into a more comprehensive argument or list of reforms. That’s unfortunate. Additional, thoughtful packaging could significantly advance this book’s impact.
As I write, science’s relevance and funding are under assault from the federal government. Tech transfer offices can play a central role in demonstrating and translating researchers’ societal and economic value. In a post-industrial world, knowledge drives economic growth, and books like this can show us how to take advantage of such expertise. Entire regions benefit from a well-honed research platform in a local university. By proposing how to improve the process instead of tearing it down, Kurman can help empower interested parties to push their economies forward.
Tech Transfer 2.0: How Universities Can Unlock Their Patent Portfolios and Create More Tech Startups
By Melba Kurman
Copyright (c) 2013
Triple Helix Press
ISBN13 9780615768762
Genre: Research, Technology
Page Count: 264
www.amazon.com