The Society for Standards Professionals NIST Academia-Industry Workshops Putting standards in context to promote standards education Erik Puskar NIST 2017 SES - The Society for Standards Professionals
Challenges Lack of awareness of the growing importance of standards in academia, industry and society. The inadequate coverage of standards and standardization at universities contributes to the low level of awareness and makes for graduates less prepared to enter the workforce 2017 SES - The Society for Standards Professionals
Broad Objectives Develop workshops for academic and industry stakeholders focused on the importance of standards at the university level within the context of emerging fields or technologies. Upgrade preparation for university grads by enhancing the teaching of standards at universities and therefore better preparing students for the workforce
Goals of NIST workshops We attempted to achieve our objectives by: presenting standards in the context of pressing problems and emerging fields engaging faculty, industry and SDO s together demonstrating pedagogy ( the discipline that deals with the theory and practice of education; the study of how best to teach) Familiarizing faculty and students with standards development through simulation exercises And as a bonus Facilitating industry-academic relationships that will continue the dialogue and help to advance work on these topics
Held 6 Workshops 2017 SES - The Society for Standards Professionals
Example Workshop 1 (pilot -Northwestern University March, 2013) Agenda summary 45 participants 26 academic, 17 industry, 2 government 1. After welcome overview, began with brief expert presentations characterizing contextual domains 2. Industry view of importance of standards 3. Open discussion 4. Industry perspectives on educational gaps related to standards 5. NIST presentation on trends in global standards 6. (Eye-opening) talk on standards education in other countries 7. Discussion 8. Introduction to importance of participation in standards development and associated strategic challenges and skill/ experience/positioning requirements 2017 SES - The Society for Standards Professionals
Example Workshop 6 (Michigan State University, May, 2017) Agenda summary 55 participants 30 academic, 20 industry (incl SDOs), 5 government 1. After welcome overview, keynote address/call to action on sustainability demands and MSU approach 2. Government and industry perspectives panel (public private partnership) discuss issues and challenges 3. Open discussion 4. Education and standards professionals panel 5. Open Discussion 6. Breakouts on implications for teaching and research 7. Work through standards development negotiation role playing simulation 8. Discussion of where from here 2017 SES - The Society for Standards Professionals
Universities Represented Aims Community College Boston U. California University of PA Caltech (+ JPL) Carnegie-Mellon Case Western Catholic DePauw Drexel Duquesne East-West Center Elmhurst College Georgetown George Mason Grand Valley State Harvard (Business, Kennedy) Howard Illinois Institute of Technology Jackson State Lehigh Michigan State (multiple) George Mason MIT Morgan State Monroe County CC Northwestern (McCormick engineering, Kellogg - business) Oregon State Robert Morris Penn State Purdue Radford San Diego San Jose State Towson Tufts UCLA (Anderson business, Digital Research, Education, engineering) University of Guelph University of Illinois University of Kentucky University of Maryland University of Missouri University of Pittsburgh University of Puerto Rico University of Southern California Virginia Tech Waseda Zhejiang 2017 SES - The Society for Standards Professionals
Universities Represented Aims Community College Boston U. California University of PA Caltech (+ JPL) Carnegie-Mellon Case Western Catholic DePauw Drexel Duquesne East-West Center Elmhurst College Georgetown George Mason Grand Valley State Harvard (Business, Kennedy) Howard Illinois Institute of Technology Jackson State Lehigh Michigan State (multiple) George Mason MIT Morgan State Monroe County CC Northwestern (McCormick engineering, Kellogg - business) Oregon State Robert Morris Penn State Purdue Radford San Diego 2012 SES - The Society for Standards Professionals San Jose State Towson Tufts UCLA (Anderson business, Digital Research, Education, engineering) University of Guelph University of Illinois University of Kentucky University of Maryland University of Missouri Univ. of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Puerto Rico University of Southern California Virginia Tech Waseda Zhejiang
Key Insights from all workshops Confirmed importance of presenting standards in context of business/engineering systems and decisions; More standards/standardization being taught in higher education than previously aware Also evident value of actively involving industry as well as faculty teaching cases needed that reflect context and standards role Exercises key to bringing out subtle issues and engaging audience, particularly faculty
Key Insights (2) Challenges of emerging technologies and increasingly complex systems with different legacies and convergence of domains with their own cultures and standards Standards is an inherently cross-disciplinary topic compounding the challenge of incorporating into curriculum
Key Insights (3) Recommendations for future activity: Need for assistance and programming to; develop skills and experience in faculty and managers support soft skills development in students gain buy-in from CEOs and deans Need for more in-depth simulations with embedded contexts bringing out standards beginning with broader organizational and planning issues and decisions 2012 SES - The Society for Standards Professionals
Key Insights (4) Recommendations (cont.): SDO s should continue efforts to engage faculty and students (visits, standards, etc.) Need for promotion to main stream publications; new refereed publishing vehicles that can support/stimulate younger faculty research and publishing There are pros and cons of a standards - specific medium versus regular standards content in a broader focused journal to draw in readers who may not immediately recognize the relevance and significance of standards
Thank You Questions? Comments? Concerns? Suggestions? 2017 SES - The Society for Standards Professionals