Although their careers have followed different paths within the Technology Transfer realm, Jane Muir, Jennifer Shockro, and Jennifer Gottwald all share a common goal of increasing greater diversity and inclusion at all stages of the innovation lifecycle. Motivated by this goal, they founded the AUTM Women Investors Special Interest Group in 2013 and subsequently developed a survey which was used to determine which factors encourage or discourage academic women's participation in technology commercialization.In today’s episode, Jane and the two Jennifers share details about the methodology they used for the survey, the demographics of the 168 participants, some of the key findings (including the reasons that women are motivated to enter the technology transfer industry, what women in the industry desire more of, and the barriers to entry), and their recommendations. Their hope is that the recommendations they have come up with based on the findings from the survey will impact systemic change in the technology transfer industry in the near future! In This Episode:[01:10] Introducing Jane Muir, founder of Muir and Associates, Jennifer Shockro, Associate Director of CalTech, and Jennifer Gottwald, Director of Listening at WARF respectively. [03:34] Each of today’s guests shares an overview of what their journey into the world of technology transfer has looked like. [06:48] The origins of the AUTM Women Inventors Special Interest Group (SIG), and what the overall goal of this group is. [10:20] A shout out to the other women who have played vital roles in the Women Inventors SIG.[11:42] The methodology of the study that was conducted by the Women Inventors SIG to assess which factors encourage or discourage women’s participation in technology commercialization.[12:46] A breakdown of the demographics of the 168 women who participated in the survey.[17:01] Interviews that were conducted with a proportion of the survey respondents after they had completed the survey, and how the data from the interviews and the survey were collated.[18:41] The number one reason that women took part in technology commercialization efforts, as shown by the findings from the survey and interviews.[19:26] What the survey showed about respondents’ knowledge of and participation in technology commercialization training programs and entrepreneurship training programs at their institutions. [20:34] Results from the survey relating to the respondents’ understanding of the commercialization process. [21:09] The lack of knowledge that respondents’ had around resources targeted specifically at women in the commercialization process (and the two potential reasons for this).[22:10] Desire for mentorship that came through strongly in the research. [22:45] The wide ranging quality of relationships that respondents’ reported having with the technology transfer offices at their institutions.[24:46] Barriers to entry for women in the technology commercialization sphere.[32:07] The Women Inventor SIG’s recommendations for enhancing diversity and inclusion in the technology transfer industry, based on the findings from the survey. [37:43] Proposed legislation that we are particularly excited about. [39:15] Data that shows that gender gaps are not just a pipeline issue. [40:31] How the federal government and technology transfer offices can do more to enhance diversity and inclusivity.[46:19] The incredible impact of the Bayh-Dole Act, and some of its limitations. [48:06] Why we are proponents of allocation of federal funding to under resourced technology transfer offices and to AUTM. [49:25] Jane, Jennifer, and Jennifer’s hopes for the future of the technology transfer industry. Find Jane Muir:EmailFind Jennifer Shockro:EmailFind Jennifer Gottwald:Email

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