Federal policymakers, North Carolina companies and other entities with a vested interest in North Carolina’s economy convened for a recent discussion at the Duke in DC office. Highlighting the importance of a research-based economy, the conversation emphasized the work occurring statewide to maintain North Carolina’s economic competitiveness as a global leader in recruiting and retaining industries and the positive return for investing in those practices.
The panel discussion, moderated by Duke University’s Vice President for Government Relations Chris Simmons, featured comments from Provost Alec Gallimore, Chris Chung from the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and Sara Lawrence, Director, Economic Development, RTI International.
NC in DC: Bolstering Global Competitiveness through a Research-Based Economy panel discussion at the Duke in DC office. Speakers include Chris Chung, Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina; Alec Gallimore, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Duke University; and Sara Lawrence, Director, Economic Development, RTI International; moderated by Chris Simmons, Vice President for Government Relations, Duke University (Jared Lazarus)
As a world leader in biotechnology, national security, agriculture, healthcare, energy, and more, North Carolina’s strategic research collaborations propel it to the forefront of the global economy.
North Carolina currently ranks among the top 25 economies in the world. Recent data highlights that Duke University alone spends more than $1 billion annually with over 4,000 North Carolina-based vendors and contractors. In FY22, Duke ranked 9th in the nation for total research and development expenditures, surpassing $1.39 billion.
The focus of the panel and dinner discussion was to underscore for federal policymakers the crucial role of industry-academia partnerships in maintaining North Carolina’s research economy. The discussion also highlighted the need for state and federal support to reinforce these efforts.
NC in DC: Bolstering Global Competitiveness through a Research-Based Economy panel discussion at the Duke in DC office. Speakers include Chris Chung, Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina; Alec Gallimore, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Duke University; and Sara Lawrence, Director, Economic Development, RTI International; moderated by Chris Simmons, Vice President for Government Relations, Duke University (Jared Lazarus)
The conversation explored why industries, ranging from electric vehicle manufacturers to life sciences leaders and more, new expansion opportunities in North Carolina., one expert Given the number of higher education institutions across the state, the panel agreed North Carolina is well-positioned to says it comes down to the abilityallow employers to find a qualified , upskill and retain a workforce, what policymakers can do to help those processes, the answer includes removing the barriers to the workforce, such as: access to childcare and trainings that might help employees succeed.
The panel also discussed how investing in talent impacts not only the large metro areas of North Carolina, but also extends into the most rural communities. North Carolina provides numerous opportunities to examine similar communities and their successes and implement successful economic models across the state. The panel of experts reinforced the need to share research, data and talent to help make North Carolina the next industry hotspot.
NC in DC: Bolstering Global Competitiveness through a Research-Based Economy panel discussion at the Duke in DC office. Speakers include Chris Chung, Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina; Alec Gallimore, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Duke University; and Sara Lawrence, Director, Economic Development, RTI International; moderated by Chris Simmons, Vice President for Government Relations, Duke University (Jared Lazarus)
The conclusion of NC in DC highlighted the power of Duke University as a convener as attendees engaged in meaningful conversations and connections extending beyond the panel. Through programs like this, Duke remains a purposeful partner in showcasing that businesses, policymakers, and higher education professionals alike are working together to bolster North Carolina’s global competitiveness through a research-based economy.
Provost Alec Gallimore traveled to Washington at the end of June to advocate for federal research funding, global education, and other pressing issues with federal policymakers.
Gallimore met with a number of officials, alumni and others to discuss a wide range of issues, including funding for scientific research, immigration and international engagement. He was joined by Vice President for Government Relations Chris Simmons and Associate Vice President for Government Relations Melissa Vetterkind. In addition to meetings with staff at the White House Office of Science and Technology, the Duke delegation also spent time with officials from the State Department and the National Science Foundation.
Duke Provost Alec Gallimore speaks with Melissa Vetterkind, associate vice president of the office of government relations, and Chris Simmons, vice president for government relations, outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC.
Vetterkind said that Gallimore’s scientific expertise allowed for robust conversations on the current state of the nation’s global leadership in science and technology, saying, “Global competitiveness is top of mind in DC these days, and this was a great opportunity to have Provost Gallimore lend his voice and expertise in making the case that strong federal investments in fundamental research and policies that encourage international collaborations are core elements of the country’s economic engine and global leadership.”
Also during the trip, Gallimore participated in a panel discussion at Duke in DC, “NC in DC: Bolstering Global Competitiveness through a Research-Based Economy.”The discussion was moderated by Simmons and included leaders from North Carolina’s economic development sector, including Chris Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and Sara Lawrence, Director of Economic Development at RTI International. Participants discussed how North Carolina’s commitment to academic excellence fuels its dynamic research-based economy and helps strengthen the state’s economic competitiveness on both a national and global scale.
NC in DC: Bolstering Global Competitiveness through a Research-Based Economy panel discussion at the Duke in DC office. Speakers include Chris Chung, Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina; Alec Gallimore, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Duke University; and Sara Lawrence, Director, Economic Development, RTI International; moderated by Chris Simmons, Vice President for Government Relations, Duke University
For the remainder of the week, the provost attended the New Global Universities Summit, also held at Duke in DC. The event, which was organized by Vice Provost Yakut Gazi and Associate Provost Noah Pickus, convened leaders of universities launched in the last 25 years, including founders, presidents, and provosts from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and the Middle East.
Regarding the trip and the meetings and events in Washington, Gallimore said, “My visit to Washington was an excellent opportunity to engage with key experts and decision-makers and discuss how we can work together on funding for scientific research, economic development in North Carolina, global education, and other strategic priorities. Our strong presence in the nation’s capital, including Duke in DC, is a tremendous asset in developing these important relationships.”
North Carolina congressional staffers from across the state were welcomed to campus recently for Duke’s State and District Congressional Staff Day.
Hosted for the first time since 2019, the traditional biennial gathering helps showcase Duke University and Duke Health experts and programs impacting North Carolinians to staff serving our state’s congressional delegation. With a community of over 45,000 employees, Duke is the largest homegrown private employer, and second largest private employer overall in the state.
Vice President of Government Relations Chris Simmons and Executive Vice President and COO for Duke’s Health System, Dr. Tom Owens, provided an overview of how Duke University and Duke Health can work with congressional leaders to serve as resources as they work for the citizens of North Carolina.
Staffers asked thoughtful questions about Duke’s new tuition aid initiative for North and South Carolina students, as well as the current state of other timely higher education issues.
Following the overview kickoff, staffers spent time with several researchers from across campus, with a particular focus on the Climate Commitment and the value of federal research funding.
As this summer was one of the warmest on record, staff engaged in a timely discussion on the impact and mitigation of extreme heat and heat-related illness across North Carolina.
This conversation was navigated by Ashley Ward of Duke’s new Heat Policy Innovation Hub and Jason Zivica, assistant vice president for Duke Health System’s Hospital Operations. Ward’s previous work with NOAA’s Carolinas Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) team connected rural and urban communities and policy-decision makers with relevant climate and health data, particularly related to vulnerabilities and impacts. Zivica helped play a role in developing Duke’s Emergency Operations Plan, which has served as a blueprint model nationwide.
They discussed what has driven heat to become so impactful over the last 30 years and the misconceptions surrounding the dangers of heat.
“Everyone is vulnerable to heat, this is a really hard message to get across to a region that is used to heat.”
Ashley ward
Additionally, Ward and Zivica highlighted what Duke and Duke Health have done to become leaders in the field surrounding future mitigation of heat’s impacts both on health and on the environment.
“Our role is education, so our role is getting out to our patients ahead of time no matter what the disaster is, but we be a part of that [education] and say ‘Hey it’s going to be hot here’s what you need to know about your condition and what you need to do to take care of yourself and here’s where you can seek help.’ I think it’s partnering with our local emergency managers, Durham County has an emergency management office that we partner with all the time and they are great.’”
Jason Zivica
Following this panel, attendees traveled to Duke’s Puppy Kindergarten, where staffers learned about the study, supported by the National Institutes of Health, to assess the impact of different rearing strategies on the behavior and cognitive development of assistance dogs. The goal is to help increase the pipeline of service dogs in the country.
The program is a key example of why congressional support for organizations like the NIH is crucial for important research and innovation.
After lunchtime conversations with President Vincent Price and Student Government President Isaiah Hamilton, attendees ventured over to Duke Health for the next panel on addressing the connection between environment and health disparities.
The conversation featured Professor Devon Noonan, PhD, Dorothy L. Powell Term Chair of Nursing. Noonan’s research is focused on using community-engaged approaches to develop innovative health behavior change interventions, including digital interventions, with the goal of reducing risk for chronic diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Joining Noonan was Professor Norbert Wilson, PhD, director of the World Food Policy Center and faculty appointed to both the Sanford School of Public Policy and the Duke Divinity School. Wilson’s research touches on several food issues, such as access, choice, and food waste.
Duke’s Nursing School and Divinity School have one of the widest statewide reaches in terms of programming and alumni. As more extreme weather events happen, Noonan said the impacts she sees on North Carolina citizens, specifically rural communities, include higher rates of chronic illness such as stroke and hypertension.
“We know all of those are related really to structural causes so unjust distribution of resources in communities around food, healthcare, education, jobs, ability to be mobile in the community and so we see really high social needs: food security, transportation security, housing instability. So when I think of these climate events, that is the crux of the issue.
Devon Noonan
Wilson said in his field of work food security is important because it relates closely to the food and agriculture system. If that system is under stress, like it has been in recent years with inflation, when food prices rise people struggle with their food security.
Noonan and Wilson also highlighted how Duke is playing a role in mitigating these issues to hopefully find a solution in the future.
“The Divinity School is I think in an innovative place right now. We’re working with the Nicholas School of the Environment and a group that hosts a series of workshops—we’ve been hosting them at the Marine Lab—where we’re training clergy and lay leaders to address climate issues within their congregations. We’ve had a pretty strong participation the last two years and we’re looking forward to do that again. And I think this is an important thing where we realize there are interesting tensions when we talk about climate, where especially when we talk about our students, they’re really deeply concerned about the climate.”
Norbert Wilson
The day wrapped up with a discussion and tour of some of Duke Health’s sustainability practices featuring Monte Brown, MD, vice president of administration and secretary, Duke University Health System; associate dean of veterans affairs, Duke University School of Medicine.
2023 State and District Congressional Staff Day was overall a marked success. We are grateful for the participation of our Duke and Duke Health faculty and staff, who shared their knowledge and expertise about the impact the Duke community is having on important topics in our state. Additionally, we are grateful our state and district staff day for their comments, participation and partnerships. We look forward to our next State and District Congressional Staff Day.
