University Technology Transfer: What It Is and How to Do It

by Tom Hockaday

Overview

Demystifying technology transfer—an increasingly important but little-understood aspect of research universities' mission.

How do we transfer the brilliance of university research results into new products, services, and medicines to benefit society? University research is creating the technologies of tomorrow in the fields of medicine, engineering, information technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence. These early-stage technologies need investment from existing and new businesses to benefit society. But how do we connect university research outputs with business and investors?

This process, Tom Hockaday explains, is what university technology transfer is all about: identifying, protecting, and marketing university research outputs in order to shift opportunities from the university into business. In this detailed introductory book—a comprehensive overview of and guide to the subject—Hockaday, an internationally recognized technology transfer expert, offers up his insider observations, opinions, and suggestions about university technology transfer. He also explains how to develop, strategically operate, and fund university technology transfer offices while behaving in accordance with the central mission of the university.

Aimed at people who work in or with university technology transfer offices, as well as anyone who wants to learn the basics of what is involved, University Technology Transfer speaks to a global audience. Tackling a complex topic in clear language, the book reveals the impressive scale of patenting, licensing, and spin-out company creation while also demonstrating that university technology transfer is a commercial activity with benefits that go well beyond the opportunity to make money.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421437057
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	04/07/2020
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.08(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Tom Hockaday, an independent technology transfer consultant, was the managing director of Oxford University Innovation (formerly Isis Innovation), the technology transfer company at the University of Oxford, from 2006 to 2016. He has over thirty years of experience in the field.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Question Time
2. Coming Out
3. How It Works
4. Why It Is Difficult
5. Structures
6. Going to Market
7. Mind the Gap
8. Innovation Community
9. Give and Take
10. Currencies and Metrics
11. Impact
12. Whatever Next
Afterword
Acknowledgments
Notes
Index

What People are Saying About This

Louis P. Berneman

Highlighting an intriguing and little-understood aspect of the relationship between private industry and universities, this book will be of interest to higher ed leaders, presidents, chancellors, and trustees. There are many American higher ed leaders who think tech transfer is a ticket to prosperity. It would be great if this book could disabuse them of that notion.

Teri F. Willey

Explaining the complexity of operating an excellent university technology transfer program, this book will be of interest to people entering the field from other professions, as well as policymakers, academic leaders trying to understand why technology transfer matters, and anyone who wants to understand the bigger picture. I have never come across a comprehensive work like this one written by a technology transfer practitioner. The go-to volume on the topic.

Jon Soderstrom

Tom Hockaday is a well-respected and knowledgeable authority who has been engaged in the university technology transfer business for his entire professional life. It is no surprise, then, that the valuable wisdom and insight acquired through this highly successful career should be so apparent in this volume.

Montserrat Vendrell

A monumental piece of work by someone who has dedicated his life to the art of technology transfer, from hands-on daily work to advising institutions around the world. Hockaday offers a holistic yet deep analysis of the often-forgotten role of universities in the path towards a knowledge-based economy.

From the Publisher

Explaining the complexity of operating an excellent university technology transfer program, this book will be of interest to people entering the field from other professions, as well as policymakers, academic leaders trying to understand why technology transfer matters, and anyone who wants to understand the bigger picture. I have never come across a comprehensive work like this one written by a technology transfer practitioner. The go-to volume on the topic.
—Teri F. Willey, Executive Director / Fund Manager, Indiana University Philanthropic Venture Fund

Highlighting an intriguing and little-understood aspect of the relationship between private industry and universities, this book will be of interest to higher ed leaders, presidents, chancellors, and trustees. There are many American higher ed leaders who think tech transfer is a ticket to prosperity. It would be great if this book could disabuse them of that notion.
—Louis P. Berneman, Managing Director, Texelerate, LLC

Providing an overview of university-based technology transfer policies and practices, Hockaday presents historical perspectives on the topic while offering his own opinions regarding best practices. This book will be of interest to university staff working in research administration, conflict of interest, and other related departments, as well as faculty inventors and university leadership.
—Steven Kousouris, Executive Director, Technology Transfer, Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures

This book takes us on a fascinating journey of the what and how of technology transfer. Tom Hockaday's unique expertise covers a wealth of do's and don'ts. Robust concepts and models offer everyone involved or interested in the topic valuable insights. Hence, a must have.
—Koenraad Debackere, Executive Director, KU Leuven Research & Development

Tom Hockaday is a well-respected and knowledgeable authority who has been engaged in the university technology transfer business for his entire professional life. It is no surprise, then, that the valuable wisdom and insight acquired through this highly successful career should be so apparent in this volume.
—Jon Soderstrom, Managing Director, Office of Cooperative Research, Yale University

A monumental piece of work by someone who has dedicated his life to the art of technology transfer, from hands-on daily work to advising institutions around the world. Hockaday offers a holistic yet deep analysis of the often-forgotten role of universities in the path towards a knowledge-based economy.
—Montserrat Vendrell, General Partner, Alta Life Sciences

Steven Kousouris

Providing an overview of university-based technology transfer policies and practices, Hockaday presents historical perspectives on the topic while offering his own opinions regarding best practices. This book will be of interest to university staff working in research administration, conflict of interest, and other related departments, as well as faculty inventors and university leadership.

Koenraad Debackere

This book takes us on a fascinating journey of the what and how of technology transfer. Tom Hockaday's unique expertise covers a wealth of do's and don'ts. Robust concepts and models offer everyone involved or interested in the topic valuable insights. Hence, a must have.

Editorial Reviews

Crisply written, compellingly argued, authoritative . . . [University Technology Transfer] provides extremely useful information to anyone who is involved in creating or developing a TT office . . . It should be required reading for all presidents, vice-chancellors and senior managers of universities that have a TT office and are tempted to interfere in its activities.
—Mark Anderson, IP Draughts

From the Publisher

Crisply written, compellingly argued, authoritative . . . [University Technology Transfer] provides extremely useful information to anyone who is involved in creating or developing a TT office . . . It should be required reading for all presidents, vice-chancellors and senior managers of universities that have a TT office and are tempted to interfere in its activities.

IP Draughts - Mark Anderson