Assessing a Fragile System
Issues in Science and Technology
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As the nation’s engines of scientific discovery, American research universities conduct essential research, train the scientific and technical workforce, and help drive regional and national economic growth. But even before federal spending priorities began to shift earlier this year, these institutions were facing significant headwinds, including financial pressures and—with the number of high school graduates projected to peak this year—a shrinking pool of students. A better understanding of research universities’ strengths and weaknesses could help them weather these trends.
The current approach of ranking research universities like sports teams isn’t very useful, argues Robert Brown . Instead, he has developed a framework for comparing schools that incorporates the various goals, student populations, financial models, and other factors that influence these institutions. This framework yields new insights into the future of the US research enterprise.
Brown’s analysis reveals a fragile system in which many schools are likely to struggle to stay competitive. “Can the country accept the consequences,” he asks, “if the number of research universities dramatically shrinks because fewer can afford to keep pace? And can the United States remain a global leader in innovation if our research universities don’t thrive?”