Stephen Merrill Email & Phone Number

The Center for Innovation Policy brings together technology leaders, policymakers, and scholars from Duke and other institutions to identify changes to law and policy that will promote innovation and economic growth. We focus on federal policies affecting information technology, communications, and intellectual property through research, conferences, roundtable discussions, and testimony. The Center is based in Washington and in Durham, NC

Washington, Dc

Created and led a $3 million (annual budget) program of studies, conferences, workshops, seminars and publications advancing technological innovation and economic competitiveness through improvements in tax, trade, human resources, research and development, and intellectual property policies. Award-winning reports resulted in federal legislation revamping the U.S. patent system (America Invents Act of 2011) and creating government-wide authority to conduct innovation inducement prize competitions (COMPETES Act Reauthorization of 2010). Expanded sponsor base from a single foundation to more than 100 federal, state, and foreign government agencies, corporations, foundations, and international organizations. Recruited CEO-level corporate, university, and financial service executives and scholars (including four Nobel Laureates) as advisers and study contributors. Invited guest lecturer in China, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Egypt, Israel, Hong Kong, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Korea, and Germany. State Department-sponsored lecturer in Japan, Germany, Belgium, and the Czech Republic.

Washington, Dc

As the Academies’ first full-time government liaison, expanded government relations staff and scope of activity, improved outreach to Members of Congress, senior congressional staff, executive branch agencies, and state and local public officials. Arranged steadily increasing numbers of congressional requests for policy studies and expert testimony. Promoted in 1990 to direct institutional corporate liaison program and oversee the Academy Film Office, producer of Emmy award-winning science documentary television programs. Supervised staff of twelve. Secured congressional passage of 1994 legislation continuing congressional designation of the Academy as a preferred source of research and advice not subject to competition.

Washington, Dc

Senior researcher/writer on studies of technology export controls, federal research and development budgeting, and government-university-industry research collaborations.

Washington, Dc

Taught public policy courses for undergraduate majors in political science and foreign affairs at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Additionally served on university division executive council responsible for curriculum requirements, faculty-student relations, and faculty recruitment oversight (1995-1996). Conducted and supervised research using qualitative and quantitative data and a variety of techniques including survey research.

Washington, Dc

Developed program of studies and conferences addressing international trade issues affecting high technology industries—microelectronics, telecommunications, and biotechnology.

Washington, Dc

Co-author and strategist of the Stevenson-Wydler Act of 1980 and other legislation on congressional committee organization, federal government procurement, intellectual property rights of government-funded research performers, and government-industry partnerships for technology development. Organized the first congressional oversight hearings on international competition in the semiconductor and biotechnology industries.

Washington, Dc

Responsible for developing and monitoring the Senator’s legislative program and constituent service requiring legislation.

New Haven, Ct

Lecturer in the Department of Political Science