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Program-level assessment of research centers: Contribution of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers to US Nanotechnology National Initiative goals

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  • Juan D. Rogers
  • Jan Youtie
  • Luciano Kay

Abstract

The Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSECs) operate in the context of a National Science Foundation (NSF) program that represents one of the key instruments of nanotechnology policy in the USA. In this article, we report on a study aimed at understanding the mechanisms by which this collection of centers contributes to the realization of the goals of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). The study is focused on the program level so we are not considering the detailed contributions or performance assessment of all the activities of individual centers. Rather, the study is organized around the main areas in which collective patterns of impact related to the stated goals of the NNI policy have been detected. The centers are found to perform in the higher end of the distribution for the field, when measured by citations, journal impact factor, leveraging of support, interdisciplinarity, and collaboration with industry. Creative contributions to education and public diffusion of nanotechnology are also detected. Efforts at developing a framework for responsible development of nanotechnology are also observed but challenges remain since the integration of these into the core mission of the program is much more difficult. Copyright The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com, Oxford University Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan D. Rogers & Jan Youtie & Luciano Kay, 2012. "Program-level assessment of research centers: Contribution of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers to US Nanotechnology National Initiative goals," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 21(5), pages 368-380, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:rseval:v:21:y:2012:i:5:p:368-380
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/reseval/rvs028
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    Cited by:

    1. Yin Li & Jan Youtie & Philip Shapira, 2015. "Why do technology firms publish scientific papers? The strategic use of science by small and midsize enterprises in nanotechnology," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 40(6), pages 1016-1033, December.
    2. Jan Youtie, 2014. "The use of citation speed to understand the effects of a multi-institutional science center," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 100(3), pages 613-621, September.
    3. Fisher, Erik, 2019. "Governing with ambivalence: The tentative origins of socio-technical integration," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(5), pages 1138-1149.
    4. Leahey, Erin & Barringer, Sondra N., 2020. "Universities’ commitment to interdisciplinary research: To what end?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(2).

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