SCS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI LECTURE SERIES

Dr. Anita K. Jones
Professor of Computer Science and University Professor
Department of Computer Science
School of Engineering and Applied Science
University of Virginia

Innovation -- The American Way
Unspoken Compacts and Unsealed Convenants

Thursday, 16 October 1997

4:00 pm, Wean Hall 7500

3:45 pm - Refreshments Outside Wean Hall 7500


ABSTRACT
The development of new knowledge and the application of that knowledge to yield new processes, techniques and products that have value to the nation is the result of the American Innovation Enterprise. It involves many different players -- individuals and organizations -- which often have no direct contact, and in some cases, have no apparent interest in one another, even though some depend quite critically on others. Players operate under very different rules and constraints.

So, some relationships are unspoken; they are unacknowledged. Others are noted, but no overt, sealed covenant may exist between the parties to ensure that they behave in a mutually beneficial fashion. This lecture will explore some of the unspoken and unsealed relationships between organizations involved in the American Innovation Enterprise, as well as some of the implications and behaviors that result. Specific examples will come from the information technology arena and from the speaker's experience serving in a position with responsibility for the Department of Defense's science and technology program during President Clinton's first term.

SPEAKER BIO
Professor Jones is a University Professor at the University of Virginia. She is also a Professor of Computer Science in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. She returned to the University in Spring 1997 after serving in the Department of Defense during President Clinton's first term. Prior to entering government, she was Professor and Chair of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Virginia. The Honorable Anita K. Jones was sworn in as the Director of Defense Research and Engineering in June 1993. In that position she was responsible for the management of the science and technology program of the Department of Defense. This included responsibility for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, oversight of the DoD laboratories, as well as being the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense for defense-related scientific and technical matters. She was responsible for both DoD-wide strategy and plans to develop techologies that enable U.S. military advantages. Professor Jones has served on serveral government advisory boards and scientific panels such as the Defense Science Board, the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, and on various board and panels for NASA, the National Research Council, and the National Science Foundation. She is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery, and a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. She has received the Computing Research Association's Service Award, the Air Force Meritorious Civialian Service Award, and the Department of Defense Award for distinguished Public Service. Her private sector experience includes serving as a founder and Vice President of Tartan Laboratories, member of the Board of Directors of Science Appications International Corporation, Trustee of the MITRE Corporation and member of vartious academic and industrial advisory boards, including the MIT Lincoln Laboratories Advisory Board. She has published more than 37 technical articles and two books in the area of computer software and systems. Dr. Jones received her A.B. from Rice University in mathematics. She earned a Master of Arts from the University of Texas, Austin, in literature, and a Ph.D. in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University. Her husband is Professor William W. Wulf, President of the National Academy of Engineering and the AT&T Professor of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Virginia.

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