Research on Innovation Policy

Crafting policies that promote innovation in science and technology are critical for the economy of the United States. Policy that hinders science development or innovative ideas could greatly inhibit many needed solutions. Professor Kaye Husbands Fealing developed the National Science Foundation’s Science of Science and Innovation Policy Program and co-chaired the Science of Science Policy Interagency Task Group. She brings her expertise in this policy area to the Humphrey School.

Recent Work with the Center and Other Projects

Kaye Husbands Fealing is charged with updating data from a paper that argues that the recent increase in foreign ownership in the United States has the potential to influence domestic occupational employment patterns—namely, inward FDI is more likely in industries with workforces comprising a large share of skilled workers. However, Fealings' work takes it a bit further to investigate if racial minorities actually benefit from foreign owners' demand for high-skilled jobs, which begs the question: does FDI activity promote employment opportunity for racial minorities. Finding show that FDI is, in fact, associated with an improved probability of black employment in high-wage and mid-level-wage jobs versus low-wage jobs.

The team also is working on quantifying the benefits of broadening participation of traditionally underrepresented minorities in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). The theory is that (1) increasing cognitive diversity, (2) increasing the supply of STEM field workers and researchers, and (3) broadening participation in an effort to support equity and efficiency could lead to greater innovation.

Cover of report Statewide Video Franchising Legislation: A Comparative Study of Outcomes in Texas, California, and Michigan
Prepared for the Minnesota Department of Commerce

In February of 2006, the United States Senate began a process to promote robust video competition across the
country. The Senate wanted to ensure that changes in the communications laws would promote competition
among video providers while at the same time facilitating low barriers to entry. This report is in response to a request from the Minnesota State Legislature to examine issues that may arise with the United State Senate legal changes.

Areas of Expertise

Global trade and economic policy, including NAFTA and the automotive industry
Science policy development and innovation strategies