Droegemeier to visit Columbia, talk with USC researchers

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Kelvin Droegemeier, director of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, will visit Columbia on Monday as part of an ongoing effort to learn from academic leaders about research challenges and to promote public-private partnerships.

The visit, hosted by the University of South Carolina’s Office of the Vice President for Research, will include a luncheon with USC faculty researchers.

Droegemeier will speak at 8 a.m. at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center about research programs at the National Science Foundation. At noon, he will lead a discussion at the Pastides Alumni Center on new academic research policies being considered by the federal government.

In September, Droegemeier announced the research initiative in a letter (.pdf) to the U.S. research community.

“As researchers, we must acknowledge the changing geopolitical and international scientific landscape: United States policies and practices must evolve thoughtfully and appropriately to meet current and future challenges,” Droegemeier wrote.

In May, the National Science and Technology Council, which Droegemeier chairs, established the Joint Committee on the Research Environment, with four subcommittees focused on exploring research security, safe and inclusive research environments, research rigor and integrity, and coordinating administrative requirements for research.

“It’s an honor to have Dr. Droegemeier include the University of South Carolina in this important and timely discussion of federal research policy,”  USC Vice President for Research Prakash Nagarkatti said on the university’s website. “Our faculty have a unique opportunity to have their voices heard and to learn about how our national research leadership plans to address some of the challenges researchers face on campuses around the country every day.”