Brookings Launches Center for Technology Innovation

The Brookings Institution announced today the creation of a Center for Technology Innovation, a new initiative that will examine policy issues related to technology innovation, including digital infrastructure and broadband investment; governance and public sector innovation; privacy, cybersecurity and legal issues; digital media and social networking; health information technology; and virtual education.

The new center’s mission will focus on delivering research that impacts public debate and policymaking. Work will include identifying and analyzing key developments and trends; developing and disseminating best practices; to increase innovation; and enhancing understanding of the importance of technology innovation

“Technology innovation is vital to economic, social, and civil development in the United States and around the world,” said Strobe Talbott, president of the Brookings Institution. “Throughout Brookings, there are projects and initiatives that demonstrate how innovation is driving economic growth and productivity – locally, nationally and globally. That is why Brookings has made ‘growth through innovation’ one of our top priorities spanning across the Institution. The Center for Technology Innovation will be a leading part of delivering on that priority, and will help Brookings to deliver high-impact policy solutions.”

“With the launch of our new center, Brookings will be at the forefront of shaping public debate on technology innovation policy by producing quality scholarship to enhance understanding of technology’s legal, economic, social, and governance ramifications and importance,” said Darrell West, vice president and director of Governance Studies.

The Center for Technology Innovation will be part of the Governance Studies program, and West will serve as founding director. The center’s research will also encompass the work of several Governance Studies senior fellows as well as the expertise of complementary innovation-based projects already underway in other research programs at Brookings..

West’s research portfolio includes electronic government, health IT and digital medicine, public sector innovation, broadband investment, mobile communications, and mass and social media. Before joining Brookings he was the John Hazen White Professor of Political Science and Public Policy and Director of the Taubman Center for Public Policy at Brown University.