SESSION III: Workforce and Career Development in the Physical Sciences

Ron Hira

Rochester Institute of Technology

STEM Workforce Labor Markets: Data & Policy

Abstract
It is broadly accepted that the scientific and technical workforce plays a critical role in increasing our standard of living, ensuring national security, and solving some of society's most pressing problems - whether it is global warming, terrorism, or national economic competitiveness. Even though STEM represents only about 5% of the nation's workforce, there is a widespread belief amongst policymakers and academic and business leaders that it has a disproportionately high impact on the nation. As a result, policies are often targeted specifically at changing the size and characteristics of the STEM workforce. This talk will review recent data on the STEM workforce labor markets as well as current pressures such as globalization that are driving STEM workforce policy and private decisions.

Brief Bio
Dr. Ron Hira, is an Assistant Professor of Public Policy at Rochester Institute of Technology where he specializes in engineering workforce issues, high-skill immigration, and innovation policy. Ron is also a Research Associate with the Economic Policy Institute. Hira is co-author of the book, Outsourcing America (AMACOM 2005), which was a finalist for best business book in the PMA's Benjamin Franklin Awards. The second edition will be published in April 2008. Hira is a recognized expert on offshore outsourcing and has testified before the US Congress twice on its implications. He has given over many invited talks and is frequently quoted and interviewed in many major media outlets.

Previously, Ron worked as a control systems engineer and program manager with Sensytech, NIST, and George Mason University (GMU). Ron has been a consultant to the U.S. House Committee on Science & Technology, U.S. Department of Treasury, Rand Corporation, Commission on Professionals in Science & Technology, National Research Council, Enterprise Integration Inc, and Deloitte & Touche.

Ron completed his Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Columbia University's Center for Science, Policy, and Outcomes. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from GMU, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering also from GMU, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University. Ron is a licensed professional engineer and a senior member of IEEE. He is a past Vice President for Career Activities of IEEE-USA as well as past chair of its Career & Workforce Policy Committee and its R&D Policy Committee. Ron participated on the Council on Foreign Relations' “Research Roundtable on Technology, Innovation and America's Primacy” and the Council on Competitiveness' “National Innovation Initiative.”