Commercialization and Innovation Roundtable Set for May 14

Faculty are invited to participate in a day of learning and discussion on May 14 that will provide insights into broadening the impact of the university's commercialization activities. The Office of Economic Development will host the Innovation, Commercialization and Discovery Roundtable from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Donald W. Reynolds Center. 

Morning events include lectures from Ross DeVol, Walton Fellow with the Walton Family Foundation, and Richard Brown, dean of engineering at the University of Utah. DeVol will speak on the role of universities as economic development catalysts. Formerly the chief researcher of the Milken Institute, DeVol is spending a year with the Walton Family Foundation assessing opportunities for regional innovation ecosystems that foster job creation, wage gains and economic growth in America's heartland. Brown will share the University of Utah's experience as a driver of innovation and technology commercialization. In addition to his role as dean, Brown is an entrepreneur and holds 17 patents. 

At noon, a panel of inventors, faculty and entrepreneurs affiliated with the University of Arkansas will discuss the innovation ecosystem at the university and in Northwest Arkansas. Matt Waller, dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business, will facilitate a discussion of legal issues related to intellectual property with input from legal experts in the field.

The event will culminate with roundtable discussions on innovation and commercialization from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Faculty and stakeholders interested in attending the day's activities should RSVP to Misty Murphy Orpin at mmorpin@uark.edu.