Group X – Technology Seminar

Technology Innovation – How is it Impacting Society?, July 22-25, 2003

A new seminar on technology innovation was added to the Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) curriculum in July. Co-Chairs, Andy Lewis, Professor with the Center for Community Economic Development, UW Cooperative Extension, and Bryan Renk, Director of Patents and Licensing for the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and an alumni of Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) Group VI, exposed participants to a wide range of technological issues, particularly in the health, education, and agricultural fields.

The goal of this weeklong seminar was to help participants understand how science and technology shape human lives and livelihoods and how society and culture, in turn, shape the development of science and technology. Participants were exposed to various new technologies, engaged in discussions concerning the ethics of technology innovation, explored leadership issues surrounding technology, and delved into leading edge technologies and their influence in health, education and agriculture.

Participants heard from a plethora of speakers on the political and economic ramifications of technology in Wisconsin, the role of the land grant university in the development of technology, ethical issues raised by stem cell research, leadership questions that arise due to technology, the role of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, and regulatory issues. James Thomson, Professor of Anatomy, UW-Madison, and a pioneer in stem cell research, addressed the group and Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) friends about current stem cell research, kicking off Leadership Wisconsin (formerly called WRLP-Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program) ’s first 20th anniversary event.

The larger group of participants was split into three smaller groups and spent one afternoon in the Madison and surrounding area visiting with different health, agriculture and educational representatives to gain an understanding how they as leaders are dealing with technological advances. Using this information, each group prepared a press conference and presented it to the larger group and a panel of media experts who critiqued their presentation.