The role of the Center Director

The Director of the RR & D Center (or his deputy) has a central part to play in supporting basic research and applied development that can directly or indirectly benefit the disabled. You clearly have oversight responsibilities for the range of projects conducted at the Center, and you are concerned with the extent to which these projects involve others outside the RR & D Center.

A relatively new aspect of your work is to evaluate the work of the research and development staff concerning the extent to which they participate in the successful transfer of technology stemming from their project activities.

The following list of responsibilities involve interaction with Investigators (I), the Transfer Officer (T), and colleagues or cooperating organizations (C).

Center Director Activities		Contacts
		I T C
1. Show leadership in raising the "hit rate," measured by the proportion of technological products, processes, or findings that are transferred from the RR& D Center.
2. Facilitate the transfer process through appointment of and close coordination with a designated Transfer Officer.
3. Motivate, engage, and reward staff involved in transfer.
4. Champion cooperative arrangements with laboratories, local universities, and firms in the rehabilitation industry.
5. Promote the Center's public image as a source of technology.
6. Within the regulations, make timely decisions on transfer issues on a case-by-case basis, and seek appropriate approvals.
7. Exercise oversight for RR & D mission effectiveness.

Investigator

Transfer Officer

Center Director