WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 18, 2024) – The Universities Research Association (URA) held its Research Policy Forum, dedicated to the topic of “International Research Partnerships” on September 18, 2024. This is the second forum in a new series of URA Research Policy Forums, launched in May of 2024.
The virtually hosted meeting served the following purposes: 1) Illuminate the barriers to creating successful international research partnerships; 2) Understand the stakeholders’ priorities; and 3) Learn about successful examples and better understand processes for creating and supporting them. Over 50 individuals representing 42 URA national and international member universities and government agencies attended the meeting. Invited speakers from the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of State, U. S. Department of Commerce (NIST and NOAA), and the National Science Foundation contributed to the government’s priorities and programs for increasing international collaborations in Science and Technology. The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), a world-class intergovernmental research organization, and the American Institute of Physics (AIP) shared their exemplary international partnership approaches, models, principles, and policies. We also heard from university officials who guide and direct research efforts at major research institutions nationwide and overseas, while successfully abiding by compliance and regulations.
The afternoon session delved into the government agency and university views moderated by a panel discussion. The forum concluded with a conversation with the CEO of the American Institute of Physics, exploring the collaborative landscape among various scientific societies and their collective role in shaping effective policies. Each presentation and discussion was followed by a Q&A session.