An effort devoted to funded research and education on innovation in space, technology, and science, and technology policy
We conduct research on the processes by which public officials and private entities cooperate to foster innovation. We offer objective advice on government policies that affect change through science and technology. We seek to advance the cause of space exploration and related technologies.
We believe that public policy research should be timely, accessible, and freely available. We favor the agricultural extension model in which basic and applied research produced at universities and related institutions is communicated to the practitioners in the field. Therefore, we want to make sure our work is relevant and available to all who are involved in science and technology policy making and policy implementation. We want to encourage graduate and undergraduate students to study science and technology. Our work requires us to foster cooperation between scholars who study natural science, history, economics, business entrepreneurship, and public policy.
Two Pi is a university-based initiative that examines government policies aimed at promoting innovation in space, science and technology. Public-private partnerships are an important and growing way through which innovation is being fostered. Through research on innovation and analysis of public-private partnerships, 2Pi helps to inform public policy developments. Because the initiative will encourage collaboration among faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students in social science as well as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, 2Pi serves as a forum to encourage social science students to study science and technology, and emphasizes the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to our economy and society.
A primary focus of 2Pi is the examination of policies designed to promote public-private partnerships in outer space. Public-private partnerships are playing an increasingly significant role in space activities. Two Pi work will examine the extent to which specific policies involving public-private partnerships promote innovation.
Two Pi provides information and policy advice through objective analysis and research. These efforts will result in the publication of publicly-available papers. Two Pi also provides briefings to public policy-makers and interested parties in the private sector. The intiative will hold forums, develop undergraduate courses, support graduate students, and provide an environment for faculty collaboration.
Dr. Rebecca Spyke Keiser, Office Head of the Office for International Science and Engineering at the National Science Foundation (NSF) formerly the Executive in Residence from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Dr. Howard McCurdy, Professor in the American University School of Public Affairs, initiated 2Pi. Dr. Keiser holds a doctorate in international relations and led NASA’s policy integration and long-term strategy efforts. Dr. McCurdy has produced seven books on national space policy and recently completed a study for NASA on the economics of innovation.