JES Digital Program: Commonwealth of innovation: A policy agenda for revitalizing Pennsylvania's economic dynamism
This is a digital program and can be lifestreamed on the JES Facebook page. The video will be available on our website afterwards.
Few states possess as many of the assets needed for innovation-driven growth as Pennsylvania. Powerhouse research universities are working on the most critical issues of the day in life sciences, AI, robotics, transportation, and energy. Breakout companies are making headlines and garnering major investments. And the diversity of talent across the state is contributing to a rich capacity for community-based innovation. In short, Pennsylvania has much of what it takes to be a winner on a national economic map characterized by a short list of "superstars" and a longer one of "left behind" places. And yet, for all that, Pennsylvania has not been able to convert its assets into abundant, high-quality economic growth or broad-based employment across an array of high-tech, high-pay advanced industries. Given that, Pennsylvania needs to unlock its innovation potential, which will require catalytic steps on the part of state government. Join Brookings Institution's senior fellow Mark Muro and senior research assistant Robert Maxim in a discussion of what's holding back Pennsylvania and state-level policy recommendations with an eye toward helping the new governor energize the state's innovation sector. Moderator is JES VP Ben Speggen.
Outside of Brookings, Mark Muro is providing informal counsel exclusively to Pennsylvania Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro’s transition team.
Mark Muro is a Senior Fellow at Brookings Metro, focusing on the interplay of technology, people, and place as they are altered by disruptions. In addition to a deep dive into Indiana’s transitioning economy, Muro’s most recent work has focused on the geography of the digital economy, including as it has been affected by the COVID recession, and involves the diverging fortunes of “superstar” cities and “places left behind.” Current work from Muro explores the geography of the AI economy and inclusive tech, building on earlier reports such as: “What jobs are affected by AI?", "Automation and Artificial Intelligence: How machines are affecting people and places", and “Digitalization and the American workforce.” Muro holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and a master’s degree in American studies from the University of California, Berkeley.
Robert Maxim is a senior research associate in Brookings Metro. Maxim conducts research and designs policy proposals for Brookings Metro’s managing disruption portfolio, exploring how economic trends like technological change and globalization affect people and places. Maxim’s recent work has focused on measuring the effects of automation and artificial intelligence on U.S. workers, encouraging economic growth and inclusion in U.S. Heartland states, and supporting the wellbeing of regional public universities. Maxim has also written on the geography of the COVID-19 recession, U.S. innovation policy, the gig economy and contingent work, and the effects of U.S. tariffs and trade policy. Maxim has previously served as a Senior Analyst at the Boston Consulting Group, specializing in trade policy and economic development, as well as a Research Associate at the Council on Foreign Relations, focusing on industrial competitiveness, international trade, and digital policy. Maxim holds a master’s degree in international trade and investment policy, and a bachelor’s degree in economics and international affairs, both from George Washington University. Maxim is a citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
