Berks Alliance Community Forum: Commonwealth of Innovation

Commonwealth of Innovation featuring the Brookings Institution
Join us for a presentation on a recent Brookings Institution report:  Commonwealth of Innovation: A Policy Agenda on Revitalizing Pennsylvania’s Economic Dynamism

Mark Muro, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute Metropolitan Policy Program and Robert Maxim, Senior Research Associate, will lead a discussion about their recent report on the importance of revitalizing Pennsylvania’s innovation driven economy.  While innovation may seem like a remote concern for most Pennsylvanians, seen as an economic activity in concentration tech hubs, in truth innovation can also lead to compelling local benefits for a diverse population across the Commonwealth.
 
The authors found that few states possess the resources and assets that are present in Pennsylvania to drive an innovation-based economy.  Research universities, breakout companies and a rich and diverse population pool across the Commonwealth create the capacity for an innovation infused economy.  But there are challenges as well as opportunities.  For example, we lag in converting innovative research into paying employment.  This is a geographic challenge, but it is also a demographic challenge.  Access to Quality STEM education is unequal by race and by gender.

How can Pennsylvania address these challenges?  Join us on March 14^th to learn more.