More than 20 engineering organizations conduct R&D Symposium

Last month, ASME joined 20 other engineering organizations, representing more than one million engineers, in sponsoring the Fifth Annual Engineering R&D Symposium in Washington, D.C.

The event was convened to bring together society leaders from various engineering organizations to learn about the federal government's current and future investment in research and development (R&D) and its impact on engineering research. ASME was the lead organizer for the event, which was held in conjunction with the annual National Academy of Engineering Convocation.

Richard Russell, associate director of the president's Office of Science and Technology Policy Executive Office, was the first speaker at the symposium.

Funding for the symposium was provided by a grant from the United Engineering Foundation, which is comprised of five Founder Societies: ASME; the American Institute of Chemical Engineers; the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers; the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

ASME President Terry Shoup welcomed association leaders by stating, "Many of our societies have long been involved in advocating for a strong federal investment in engineering research and development. Investments in R&D are essential for teaching the next generation of engineers and scientists and for supporting the innovations needed for engineers to compete in the global market."

A reception for wind energy advocate Rep. Jerry McNerney of California, a member of the House Science and Technology Committee, was held in conjunction with the symposium.

Speakers provided their perspectives on the outlook for research and development. Richard Russell, associate director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), provided an overview of the administration's fiscal year 2008 budget for research and development at the federal agencies. Russell spoke about the president's American Competitiveness Initiative and its commitment to doubling R&D funding for physical sciences and engineering at the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy Office of Science, and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology.

Kei Koizumi of the American Association for the Advancement of Science provided an in-depth analysis on the overall fiscal year 2008 budget request, emphasizing investments in engineering research. Koizumi noted that while the ACI would increase funding at the three aforementioned agencies, research and development funding at other agencies — such as in the science and technology programs at the Department of Defense, in aeronautics research at NASA, and in research programs at the National Institutes of Health — would be reduced.

(Left to right): ASME Federal Fellow Mike Egan, ASME President Terry Shoup; Rep. McNerney, and Dave Belden, executive director of the United Engineering Foundation.

Members of Congress offered their perspectives on federal R&D priorities as well. Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash., chair of the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, encouraged engineers to improve the process by becoming more involved at the grassroots level. Baird also addressed the contentious issue of earmarks by stating, "Not all earmarks are bad." He spoke about earmark reform in the House and what steps members must take to fund a specific project.

Rep. Vernon Ehlers, R-Mich., a long-time champion of science and engineering issues, followed Baird, emphasizing the need for voluntary national standards for science and math education. Ehlers also received the 2007 Norm Augustine Award at the American Association of Engineering Societies banquet the previous day. The Norm Augustine Award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate the capacity for communicating the excitement and wonder of engineering.

Jim Spohrer of IBM Corp. concluded the symposium with a discussion of industry's perspective on the importance of the federal government's role in basic research. Spohrer also informed attendees about a new IBM research area, services science.

Representatives from 21 engineering associations took part in the R&D Symposium in Washington, D.C.

The R&D Symposium adjourned with a reception for Rep. Gerald McNerney, D-Calif., a wind energy entrepreneur and ASME member who was recently elected to represent California's 11th District. McNerney discussed matters of science and engineering policy with symposium participants. He noted that Congress often lacks expertise on engineering and science issues and said he looked forward to working with the engineering community on these issues in the future.

In his closing remarks, ASME President Terry Shoup said that engineers have a responsibility to become involved in public policy. He quoted Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., one of two engineers in the U.S. Senate: "If we want good public policy, then it has to be made by those who understand the issues." Shoup continued, "We need to apply the problem-solving approach used by engineers to understand the realm of solutions, as well as the law of unintended consequences, in the public policy arena."

By partnering and collaborating with other engineering and scientific organizations through events such as this symposium, the engineering community is increasing its educational and public policy effectiveness on Capitol Hill.

For more information about the Fifth Annual Engineering R&D Symposium, including available speaker presentations, visit www.engineeringpolicy.org.

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