Primary Research Interests:
Science and Technology Policy
Planning for Emergent Technologies
Innovation Policy
Geography of Innovation
Natural Resources Preservation
Regional Studies
Broadening Participation in STEM
Behavioral Economics
U.S. Veteran-related Policy
Autonomous Vehicle Policy
Current Projects
History and Progression of Autonomous Vehicle Technology & Relationship to Innovation Policies
2015-2020
Autonomous vehicles have grown incredibly popular over the last decade as many corporations and academic institutions for efforts in development of their relevant technologies. Federal level policy actors have shown interest in innovation policies that may have invoked such progression. This project aims to understand the impact of those policies, and demonstrate how federal action can accelerate technology.
Dr. Red Whittaker & Andrew with "Sandstorm" - 2004 DARPA Grand Challenge Competition Vehicle
Past Projects
States around the country have been forging the framework for a variety of legislative actions that will regulate and set standards for how autonomous vehicles operate within their borders. As autonomous technology has been slowly developing over the years, policy and law-makers may seek to provide protection for their citizens and the tech-developers operating there, while simultaneously considering ways to capture economic benefits and address built infrastructure concerns. This study is an in depth look into state legislative actions over recent years to understand how lawmakers are adapting to reflect influences from the autonomous vehicle markets.
Policy Diffusion & Learning through Autonomous Vehicle Legislation
2018-2019
Aerial drone technology has the potential to enhance nearly every aspect of the built environment through delivery of goods and services and emergency service operations such as fire, medical, and natural disasters; however, public services may not know how they can most effectively acquire, deploy, and manage these systems.
Unmanned Aerial Drones: Planning for Emergent Technology
2019
State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) agencies must learn how to prepare and adopt to the future of autonomous vehicle transportation on all scales, from an organizational to the infrastructure. This project aims to identify current knowledge of these systems and relevant regulations, along with perceived impacts on current structures for Georgia DOT. The developed roadmap will provide guidance to GDOT allowing for a planned, efficient and effective approach to addressing this rapidly approaching technology.
Hunter, M., Kingsley, G., Guin, A., Horadam, N., Hanus, A., Bleckley, C., & Siangjaeo, S. (2018). GDOT Roadmap for Driverless Vehicles (No. FHWA-GA-18-1723). Georgia. Department of Transportation. Office of Performance-Based Management & Research. https://trid.trb.org/view/1601059
Georgia Department of Transportation: Roadmap for Driverless Vehicles
2018
A Research Agenda for Science of Broadening Participation (SoBP) 2.0: STEM Employment of People with Disabilities
2016-2018
Continued United States (U.S.) economic competitiveness and global leadership in technology and science necessitate a well-prepared science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. Ensuring that this critical workforce is broadly inclusive of individuals with relevant capabilities and skills requires a highly adaptive, networked system of interdisciplinary educational collaboration, and innovative employment preparation strategies, programs, and approaches.
This science policy research report addresses these issues, detailing barriers and opportunities for increasing participation in STEM fields among under-served populations, focusing on people with disabilities and Veterans, as well as the high technology industry and non-government employers. This work has been featured by the National Science Foundation’s Science of Science and Innovation Policy (SciSIP) program.
Multi-family apartment owners and tenants in the City of Norcross lack a means for recycling. Successful development and implementation of a multi-family recycling initiative will provide untapped revenue channels for the City program, reduce litter and excessive waste in communities, and result in new relationships throughout the community and build on other sustainability efforts.
Final Report: City of Norcross Multi-Family Recycling Report
Multi-family Recycling Program: The City of Norcross, GA
2017-2018
The purpose of this study is to develop frameworks and techniques for measuring the outcomes of federally funded research targeted at agricultural research; it targets a key agricultural priority—that of improving U.S. food safety. The goal is to better under the ‘how’ of research-to-commercialization and research-to-table process using both quantitative and qualitative evidence. Book is pending publication.
Product: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316671788
Husbands Fealing, K., Lane, J., King, J., & Johnson, S. (Eds.). (2017). Measuring the Economic Value of Research: The Case of Food Safety. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Measuring the Economic Value of Research: The Case of Food Safety
2017
White House National Microbiome Initiative (NMI)
2015-2016
National Microbiome Initiative Launch
Program Manager for the White House National Microbiome Initiative, a $521 million multi-sector, cross-disciplinary initiative aimed at fostering the collaboration of research, funding, and efforts to elucidate basic knowledge of microbiomes across ecosystems. Developed policy, and garnered support from public and private organizations to support new platform technologies, research, workforce and citizen science.
Official Fact Sheet: Announcing the National Microbiome
White House Blog: Announcing the National Microbiome Initiative
Reducing the Impact of Bias in the STEM Workforce: Strengthening Excellence and Innovation
2016
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) established an Interagency Policy Group to identify steps the government can take to increase diversity in the STEM workforce by mitigating the impact of implicit, institutional, or explicit bias that may exist in both the Federal Government and in federally funded institutions of higher education.
Product: Official Report
Soil Sustainability
2015-2016
Aided in the development of a federal level initiative to revisit policies and regulations surrounding soil management across disciplines & industries. Enabled the Charter for the Soil Science Interagency Working Group, a National Science & Technology Council (NSTC) body, to develop proper assessments and recommendations.
Embassy Team Kinshasa, Policy Design Studio - Project for the McCain Institute for International Leadership
2015
An advanced ‘Policy-in-Action’ program of study under the Arizona State University’s Study Abroad program. Guided instruction led by retired U.S. Ambassadors, a retired U.S. Lt. General, and various other professionals, this course taught in-depth concepts of global politics, rule of law, U.S. State Department protocol and operations, cultural immersion, human rights, regional conflict and resource negotiations, and other critical items related to operating within a U.S. Embassy.
The program required quick and adaptive learning, as the students were attempting to solve real world issues from the perspective of a U.S. Embassy, and the country of focus was the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fluent knowledge of foreign policy and country relations was required to develop any sound action plan.
A final presentation containing policy options and program proposals was given to the U.S. State Department Desk Office for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, aimed at enhancing the quality of life and bilateral relationships between the U.S. and D.R.C., and other relevant regional actors too include the United Nations. Some of these proposals are currently being applied within the Embassy Kinshasa, and improving the livelihood of the D.R.C.’s citizens.