NEW TOPIC: Academia and Industry

[Bonni Graham]

I'm curious:

What do you folks see as the best way to forge a tighter 
link between academia and industry? In my case, it's 
automatic: I run my own tech comm company and work for an 
employer (which is why you might see emails from me from 
either of two addresses), in addition to being adjunct 
faculty at two UC campuses (plus I have three kids - this 
is what adult hyperactives do with themselves).

I see some of the following things that STC can do (and in 
some cases has done and is continuing to do):

* Sponsor industry internships for students
* Sponsor industry fellowships/sabbaticals for professors
* Provide a list of questions about the practice of tech 
comm that practitioners would love to or need to know more 
about but lack the time to research themselves (similar to 
the article about heading frequency and comprehension that 
appeared in the most recent Journal)
* Continue to publish the Journal
* Reduce conference rates (or seek corporate partnerships, 
or provide a template for how to seek corporate 
partnerships)
* Create an academically-focused annual conference
* Invite more local academics to speak at local chapters 
about current research (chapter presidents - are you 
listening?)

I'm only one brain - help me out! : )

b

Bonni Graham
Manual Labour, Inc.
858-366-0170
www.manuallabour.com
Making Technology Easier