Preparing For The Revolution: Information Technology And The Future Of The Research University Ebrary

1. Introduction -- 2. Technology Futures -- 3. Implications For The Research University -- 4. Choosing The Future : Findings And Options. Panel On The Impact Of Information Technology On The Future Of The Research University, Policy And Global Affairs, National Research Council Of The National Academies. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 59-64) The National Academies launched a study in early 2000 on the implications of information technology for the future of the U.S. research university. The study was designed to identify the information technologies that are likely to evolve in the near term (a decade or less) that could have major impact on the research university and to examine the implications of these technologies. A panel of leaders from industry, higher education, and foundations gathered information from multiple sources and the literature to arrive at several conclusions. The pace of information technology evolution is likely to continue for the next several decades, and could even accelerate. Institutional barriers will be reshaped and possibly transformed. The impact of information technology on the research university is likely to be profound, rapid, and discontinuous. Digital technology will change how the university is organized, financed, and governed. Procrastination and inaction will be dangerous for colleges and universities in this time of rapid transition. It is difficult to predict the impacts of information technology with precision, but it is essential for institutions to develop the capacity to grasp potential changes and see where technology might drive the university. University strategies must include the development of sufficient in-house expertise among faculty and staff to track technological trends and assess courses of action. Appendixes contain the project chronology, the January 22-23, 2001 workshop agenda, and panel member biography sketches. (Contains 126 references.) (SLD)

The rapid evolution of information technology (IT) is transforming our society and its institutions. For the most knowledge-intensive entities of all, research universities, profound IT-related challenges and opportunities will emerge in the next decade or so. Yet, there is a sense that some of the most significant issues are not well understood by academic administrators, faculty, and those who support or depend on the institution's activities. This study identifies those information technologies likely to evolve in the near term (a decade or less) that could ultimately have a major impact on the research university. It also examines the possible implications of these technologies for the research university?its activities (learning, research, outreach) and its organization, management, and financing?and for the broader higher education enterprise. The authoring committee urges research universities and their constituents to develop new strategies to ensure that they survive and thrive in the digital age.

Identifies those information technologies likely to evolve that could ultimately have a major impact on the research university. This work also examines the possible implications of these technologies for the research university and its activities (learning, research, outreach), and its organization, management, and financing.