Research and Data
A clearinghouse of research for data-driven innovation policies.
March 23, 2011 
Opportunities and Innovations in the Mobile Broadband Economy
A recent report from The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) found that more low income households access the Internet solely through mobile device than any other income bracket. While 8, 10 and 12 percent of families earning above $75,000, $50,000-$74,999, and $30,000- $49,000, respectively, solely access the Internet through mobile devices, 17 percent of households earning less than $30,000 do so.
Read the full report here.
March 23, 2011
Shopping by Mobile Will Grow to $119 Billion in 2015
By 2015, it’s estimated that shoppers from around the world will spend about $119 billion on goods and services bought via their mobile phones, according to a study released in February 2010. In the United States alone, mobile shopping rose from $396 million in 2008 to $1.2 billion in 2009.
Read the full report here.
March 23, 2011
Who’s Winning the Clean Energy Race?
According to The Pew Charitable Trust G-20 Clean Energy Factbook, global stimulus plans target $184 billion for clean energy, led by the United States ($67 billion) and China ($47 billion). By the end of 2009, only 9 percent ($16.6 billion) had reached the sector, with the United States and South Korea spending the most to date. To find out more about America’s competitive position in the clean energy marketplace:
Read the full report here.
March 23, 2011
2011 Global R&D Forecast
According to Battelle Memorial Institute’s 2011 Global R&D Forecast, Global research and development (R&D) spending is expected to increase by 3.6 percent in 2011 to $1.2 trillion.
Read the full report here.
March 23, 2011
Using Technology to Support Struggling Students in Science
A 2010 report from the Center for Implementing Technology in Education provides recommendations on how struggling students can be supported in science education and how accessible and assistive technologies can help.
Read the full report here.
March 23, 2011
How Much Does Immigration Boost Innovation?
In a 2010 National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper, researchers Jennifer Hunt and Marjolaine Gauthier-Loiselle examined individual patenting behavior to measure the extent to which skilled immigrants contribute to innovation in the United States. The 2003 National Survey of College Graduates indicates that immigrants patent at double the native rate, and that this is entirely accounted for by their disproportionately holding degrees in science and engineering. These data imply that a one percentage point rise in the share of immigrant college graduates in the population increases patents per capita by 6 percent.
Read the full report here.
March 18, 2011
The Supply Side of Innovation: H1-B Visa Reforms and US Ethnic Invention
A December 2008 study released by the Harvard Business School found that immigrants comprise nearly half of all scientists and engineers in the United States who have a doctorate, and accounted for 67 percent of the increase in the U.S. science and engineering workforce between 1995 and 2006.
Read the full Harvard Business report here.
March 16, 2011
Accelerating Successful Smart Grid Pilots
A World Economic Forum study entitled “Accelerating Successful Smart Grid Pilots” looked at 90 smart grid pilots worldwide. The WEF report finds that the first wave of trials has been consumer-centric and many have received mixed reviews. However, those who have made significant efforts to educate and engage consumers (in addition to focusing on grid-centric solutions) have been more successful. A trial in Boulder, CO (run by Xcel Energy) that has resulted in a 90% reduction in reactive power outages and a 5% fall in power demand.
Read the full report here.
March 16, 2011
International S&E Higher Education
The National Science Foundation’s Science & Engineering Indicators has data on number of degrees granted in science & engineering. Though the U.S. grants the most such degrees, the growth rate in China is higher than the U.S.
Read the full report here.
March 16, 2011
Immigration Brings Diversity to More of Metro America
Data compiled by the Urban Institute finds that the foreign-born share of the population in the 100 largest metropolitan areas climbed from 10.4 to 16.3 percent between 1990 and 2008. In fact, immigration accounted for 38.5 percent of total population growth in these metros.
Read the full report here.