An Innovation Index Building a Framework to Evaluate Innovation at Northwestern
It is so rewarding to be able to apply our research expertise in the science of science to help improve innovation at our own University.”
Dashun Wang, Professor of Management and Organizations, Kellogg School of Management and Director, Center for Science of Science & Innovation
How might a university measure its innovative culture? It is an important question given higher education’s reliance on metrics to chart progress, establish benchmarks, andinform decision making, including ever-important discussions around resource allocation.
Traditionally, academic institutions have leaned into figures such as patents, revenues, or research funding to evaluate innovation. In fiscal year 2021, for instance, Northwestern University captured a record-setting $893.4 million in sponsored research funding. While such a data point is telling – and undoubtedly inspiring, relying on that metric ultimately neglects other dimensions of university innovation. As a result, a university risks overlooking opportunities to ignite innovation, secure its long-term competitiveness, and contribute transformational discoveries that generate jobs, national prosperity, and global relevance.
The Center for Science of Science & Innovation (CSSI) at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management is working to create a better strategy to measure innovation and ensure Northwestern pursues its full innovative potential.
CSSI researchers are developing a comprehensive, systematic, and quantitative framework to understand innovation at Northwestern. The multi-year, multi-stage effort includes gathering data from offices, departments, and centers across Northwestern to understand the overall lifecycle of innovation at the University – from proposing ideas to securing funding, from patents to licensing revenues.
The resulting CSSI-produced framework will help INVO measure the impact of its programs on innovation and research progress. It will also support INVO’s efforts to identify unrealized potential at Northwestern, such as promising cross-school collaborations or connecting junior researchers with INVO’s vast resources. The thoughtful initiative will better position Northwestern to capitalize on compelling opportunities capable of translation and benefitting society.
“It is so rewarding to be able to apply our research expertise in the science of science to help improve innovation at our own University.” --Dashun Wang, Professor of Management and Organizations, Kellogg School of Management and Director, Center for Science of Science & Innovation