Why Should Academic Researchers Consider Commercialization?

Academic researchers’ interest and engagement in commercialization can amplify the impact of their work. Research carried out in laboratories, field locations, and clinics is inspired primarily by interest, with a secondary and often compelling motivation to improve the human condition. Yet researchers rarely move directly toward meeting a human need: they write academic papers and give talks to other specialists. This chapter shows how commercialization can broaden and deepen the impact of academic research. We also connect experience in commercialization to the shrinking academic job market: careers outside academia are increasingly attractive, and gaining experience with commercialization is a growing (and advantageous) path for many junior researchers.