Speeches

by Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D.
President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Shirley Ann Jackson has written and spoken extensively about the challenges of sustaining the United State’s preeminence in science and technology. She notes that over the next 10 to 20 years the science and technology workforce in the U.S. will be retiring at record rates — and there are not enough people in the “pipeline” to replace them.

In the recent past, the U.S. has relied on non-U.S. students to come to this country and populate our graduate programs, but — particularly in the post-9/11 environment — this is no longer a given.  She calls this overall situation a “quiet crisis” and warns of a “perfect storm” on the horizon that business, academic and government leaders must address.

Fulfilling America's Promise Through Innovation
Congressional Briefing
Research Corporation Celebration
Kennedy Caucus Room Russell Senate Office Building 325
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Quiet Crisis:
America's Economic and National Security at Risk
SCUP 2010 North Atlantic One-Day Conference
EMPAC Studio 2
RPI, Troy, New York
Friday, November 19, 2010

Launching the Empire State STEM Learning Network
Empire State Progressive Dialogue on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
Thursday, June 10, 2010

Educating and Innovating Our Way to a 21st Century Manufacturing Economy
City Club of Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Friday, March 5, 2010 | PDF

Fueling the Economy: Exciting, Inviting, and Preparing the Next Generation of Innovators
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Monday, February 8, 2010 | PDF

Expediting Serendipity:
Building an Innovation Ecosystem
Detroit Economic Club
Detroit, Michigan
Thursday, October 8, 2009 | PDF

CERA Week 2009, Special Plenary: Models of Innovation
Plaza Room II, Level 3
The Westin Galleria
5060 West Alabama
Houston, Texas
Thursday, February 12, 2009

Leadership for a Comprehensive Energy Roadmap: The First 100 Days
National Press Club
Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008