Teaching

STIA 4180: Science, Policy, and Development in Latin America

Course Description: Science, Technology and Innovation policies are important to help address national and global challenges in a greatly competitive and fast-moving world. In the last few decades, many Latin American countries have designed and implemented public policies to encourage the adoption and diffusion of scientific advances and stimulate technological change. This course aims at exploring the heterogeneous and diverse experiences of Latin American countries in designing and implementing Science, Technology and Innovation policies to identify opportunities and initiatives for domestic economic prosperity and global security, of relevance for US institutions and international organizations. The course is divided in four sections: 1. Background on the current socio-economic Latin American context and the state of the region's STI. 2. A historical regional perspective of the evolution and current trends of the STI policy making process. 3. Review of policy instruments and their impact in selected countries (science advisory ecosystem and institutional capabilities, scientific societies and national academies, financial incentives, funding and resources, STI priorities, output and outcomes from research investment and implemented policies). Government policy experiences will be contrasted, identifying good practices and developing recommendations for coordinating regional initiatives. 4. Policy opportunities for foreign policy interventions and international development cooperation.

STIA 4220: Biotechnologies for Development

There is a growing recognition that biotechnology applications in health, the environment, agriculture and energy production can be a driver for sustainable growth and development worldwide. Because of their novelty and their rapidly evolving nature, their advantages and challenges are not sufficiently understood by consumers, industry, governments and policymakers. This course examines the fundamental scientific research and concepts utilized in the creation and development of biotechnology products and processes. It will provide a comprehensive overview of the major industrial areas of biotechnology. Students will address the opportunities as well as the ethical, security and societal concerns relevant to controversial applications of biotechnology and the context of the international treaties and regimes in place. While addressing the strategies used by industrialized countries through major clusters of innovation, the course will also emphasize on the efforts made by emerging economies looking to attract both businesses and human talent to drive their domestic industry. It will evaluate strategies used by developing nations to build their strength in biotechnology, focusing on identifying fundamental policy challenges through a multidisciplinary approach allowing for the perspectives of various stakeholders, of relevance for foreign policy and international development.