Lambright awarded research grant from IBM
Harry Lambright, professor of public administration and
international affairs and political science, has been awarded a research grant
from IBM for his study “Replacing the Shuttle: Leadership, Change, and
Public-Private Innovation.” An expert in space policy, Lambright has
completed numerous research projects and publications on the topic.
“Replacing the Shuttle” will analyze how NASA leaders have
promoted and used innovative public-private partnerships to develop a
replacement for the space shuttle, which was retired in 2011. The agency
has already developed new policy mechanisms to enable private companies to take
over cargo and astronaut transport to the International Space Station.
Cargo delivery was successfully achieved in 2013, and crew transport is
being currently developed.
Lambright’s study will look at how the partnership strategy
ended up on NASA’s agenda, how it was formulated and adopted as policy during
the George H.W. Bush administration, and how it was augmented under the Obama
administration. It will also examine how the work is currently evolving.
The
report, which is expected to be completed in late summer, will draw on lessons
learned for leadership and innovation, and will look particularly at when
public-private partnerships make sense in getting large technical programs
accomplished. 05/27/15