Workgroup Members:
Dennis P. Brinton, Starlett Knight, Tim Ochsenhirt and Al Ploens

There was a consensus that the Akron area needs to develop a "Think Tank" or similar research capability with two foci, to Coordinate and stimulate research in support of local economic development, and research to provide a foundation for long term public policy development.

Some of the benefits of such an organization would be:

• Create a climate conducive to retaining jobs and people in the area.

• Create a climate where the Akron area would be viewed nationwide and worldwide as a place to be for certain types of research and development. This would include polymers, but would not necessarily be limited to just polymers.

• Coordinate and promote the research which is already taking place in this area, especially in terms of creating economically viable spin-offs from the research.

• Provide a foundation for the development of better public policy, particularly in the areas of transportation, land use and development issues, education, and public services.

Some of the ways identified to create such an organization include:

Need to analyze how other think tanks got their start, i.e. what organizations helped set them up, what types of funding, what kind of governing structure, who were key movers and shakers.

University of Akron would likely be a key player, but should not dominate such an organization; Business community should have a strong presence. ARDB should be involved.

Should involve local political leaders, especially if public policy will be a part of a think tank’s research concerns.

Need to identify what infrastructure supports a think tank. i.e., people, facilities, communications, organizational linkages, publicity etc.

Might consider using industrial incubator model, with modifications could be turned into thinking incubator. Provide the means to carry out the thinking task. Create an environment where creative people could be set up to do their work, have needs met, have facilities needed to research key topics.

Might use the Internet and web as a means of tying together existing research organizations to promote and publish a catalog of current research. Might consider impact of new E-Business models on how a 21st century think tank should function.

Thinking should be up to 25 years in future, but should try to find ways of implementing practical spin-offs in less time

The research needs identified by other Imagine Akron 2025 committees should be compiled and assessed.

Other supporting documentation:
Tim Ochsenhirt presented the results of a search of a Web site that listed research organizations. There were approximately 85 organizations on this list worldwide, with about 60 in the United States. Accompanying this list was a description with contact information, Key staff names, History and scope of the organization, Areas of research, Geographic focus, Recent research findings, funding sources and publications. It was concluded that this list was not exhaustive; there are many more research organizations.

Starlett Knight presented a bulletin from the University of Akron, which listed and described their Research Centers and Institutes, a list of University of Akron research proposals submitted for funding over the last year. She is awaiting receipt of information from Vanderbilt University on a research organization, which has been active in the Nashville Metro area. This will be forwarded when it arrives.

Dennis Brinton presented a list of local research organizations compiled from the yellow pages and general knowledge. This was placed in an Access database, to which the information about University of Akron and other research organizations will be added.