Bo Carlsson, Ph.D. – Frank Tracy Carlton Professor of Economics at Case Western Reserve University

Friday February 8, 2008
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Crawford Hall – Room 9
Inamori Center
Case Western Reserve University

We have all heard or read arguments that any good economic future for Cleveland requires that the region become a center of high value-added activities, that can use innovation and expertise to protect jobs and capital from low-wage foreign competition. These arguments often cite the region’s healthcare sector, history in fields such as polymers and energy, and the research abilities of CWRU as reasons we can become a high-tech center.

But is that enough? How does northeast Ohio compare to successful high-tech clusters? How are industry clusters formed? What kinds of public policies can help, and what kinds of supporting conditions are needed?

These are the kinds of questions Professor Carlsson studies in research conducted around the world. Come join us as we investigate one of the most important questions for the future of both our community and our university.

The Friday Lunch is a brown-bag event open to all.  Cookies and some beverages are provided.

The remainder of this e-mail reports what we know about the schedule for the rest of the semester. We will be sending out announcements each week. If you would prefer not to receive the announcements, please inform Dr. Andrew Lucker, Associate Director of the Center for Policy Studies, by e-mail (andrew.lucker@case.edu).

About Our Guest

What are the conditions in society that foster innovation? That’s the question that guides Bo Carlsson’s research into innovation systems. Recently, Bo has been studying the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic growth. Working with an international team, he has developed models of entrepreneurial activity in the macro economy and examined his model using international data. A related area of Bo’s research is the analysis of industry clusters: how they are formed and the role of entrepreneurship and public policy in their creation.

Part Time Election Positions Available

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is looking for some part time help for the March 4th Ohio primary. There are two positions available, ballot drop off assistant and ballot drop off captain. For more information click here. (pdf)

Friday Lunch Parking News

On February 22 no parking will be available in the Visitor Information Center Lot (located between Crawford Hall and Amasa Stone Chapel) because there is a full Case Western Reserve University Board of Trustees meeting.

Friday Lunch and Other Public Affairs Upcoming Topics and Speakers:

February 15: Paul Gerhart, Professor of Marketing and Policy Studies at Case Western Reserve University, will talk about, “Labor Agreements in the Auto Industry–and Elsewhere.”

February 22: Chris Cullis, Professor of Biology at Case Western Reserve University, will discuss, “Lost Crops of Africa – Involving Undergraduates in their Rediscovery.”

February 29: Robin Dubin, Associate Professor of Economics at Case Western Reserve University, will discuss, “The Real Estate Meltdown.”

March 7: Peter J. Whitehouse MD PhD. Professor of Neurology and Cognitive Science. “The Myth of Alzheimers.”

March 21: J. Adin “Jay” Mann, Professor of Chemical Engineering: “Peak Oil.”

April 4: Jerry Floersch PhD, LISW, Associate Professor in MSASS, “The Psychosocial and Sociocultural Dimensions of Prescribing Psychiatric Medication to Adolescents.”

April 18: Megan Whalen Turner fiction writer for young adults and author of, Instead Of Three Wishes, The Thief, The Queen of Attolia and The King of Attolia; Anne Ursu is the author of the novels Spilling Clarence and The Disapparation of James, Joe White Luxenberg Family Professor of Public Policy and Chair, Department if Political Science, Case Western Reserve University, will discuss, “Moral Dilemmas in Politics and Fiction.”

The Friday Lunch discussions are held on the lower (ground) level of
Crawford Hall.  Visitors with mobility issues may find it easiest to take advantage of special arrangements we have made.  On most Fridays, a few parking spaces in the V.I.P. lot in between Crawford Hall and Amasa Stone Chapel are held for participants in the lunch discussion.

Visitors then can avoid walking up the hill to the first floor of Crawford by entering the building on the ground level, through the garage area under the building.  The further door on the left in that garage will be left unlocked during the period before the Friday lunch.  On occasion, parking will be unavailable because of other university events.

For more information about these and other Center for Policy Studies programs, please see http://policy.case.edu.