Organized by the Georgia Institute of Technology School of Public Policy, the biennial conference was held October 14 to 16, 2019 at the Global Learning Center. Policy experts presented research on topics including the scientific workforce, the ethics of science and adoption of innovation, and the impact of revolutionary forms of manufacturing on the future of work. Plenary sessions reflecting different facets of the science and innovation system and an early career poster session also took place.

Highlights included a plenary talk by former Georgia Tech employee Kamau Bobb, the Global Lead for Diversity Strategy and Research at Google on the importance of diversity in science, technology, and innovation.

Former School of Public Policy chair, professor emerita, and conference founder Susan Cozzens moderated a plenary entitled “Fourth Industrial Revolution: Whose Opportunity? Whose Threat?”

“The fourth Industrial Revolution is a new manufacturing approach that some people think will completely revolutionize manufacturing, but a lot of people are worried that it's going to put half the workforce out of work,” Cozzens said.

Other School of Public Policy faculty also participated, including School Chair Kaye Husbands Fealing, who spoke about broadening inclusion in science and engineering, and former School Chair and former Regents’ Professor Barry Bozeman, who participated in a panel about bridging the divide between research and practice in science policy.

International and interdisciplinary scope, the Atlanta Conference attracts more than 200 participants from 30 countries. In addition, student volunteers from units across the Ivan Allen College and across campus assist, representing the School of Economics, the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

This year’s Conference further entrenched the School of Public Policy’s role in international science and innovation policy, and provide invaluable experiences for students who are interested in engaging research at the vanguard of science, technology, and innovation.

“This Conference, which has gathered experts from around the world, and continuously brought in some of the top researchers in science and innovation policy from all of these different countries, is something that is really a centerpiece of the School of Public Policy,” said conference organizer, School of Public Policy professor, and former School chair Diana Hicks. “And I think it speaks to not only the hard work, but also the reputation of the School of Public Policy in this community.” In addition to Cozzens and Hicks, School of Public Policy Associate Professor Julia Melkers also played an instrumental role in organizing this year's conference.

More information on the conference can be found on its website.

The School of Public Policy, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, and School of Economics are units of the Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts.