Shiri Breznitz

Assistant Professor

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Ph.D., University of Cambridge, Economic Geography
M.A., University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Regional Economic & Social Development
B.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem

Shiri M. Breznitz's is an assistant professor at the school of Public policy at Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research examines regional economic development with a focus on the role of universities. Current projects include: a collaborative international comparison of university science parks in the USA, UK, and Canada; a theoretical review project examining industrial clusters; and an ongoing international study on universities’ technology transfer (with Georgia Tech as the latest case completed). Dr. Breznitz’s previous work analyzed industry location, technology transfer, and economic development with a particular focus on the biotechnology industry. Moreover, Dr. Breznitz was a member of national committees in both Israel (2008) and France (2005) to review industrial and economic development policy. 

Dr. Breznitz is affiliated with the MIT's Industrial Performance Center where she has been involved in both the Globalization and the Local Innovation Systems projects. At Georgia Tech, Dr Breznitz is affiliated with the Ivan Allen College’s NSF Advance Program,  and the Science, Technology, and Innovation Program (STIP). Dr Breznitz is a member of The Association of American Geographers (AAG) in the Economic Geography group, as well as the Regional Studies Association, and the Industry Studies Association.

Dr. Breznitz teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Economic Development Policy and Planning (PUBP 4260), Technology, Regions, and Policy (PUBP 6415), and Task Force I and II (PUBP 4010 and 4020), the undergraduate capstone class in public policy.

Dr. Breznitz joined the School of Public Policy after completing her Ph.D. in Economic Geography at the University of Cambridge. Her dissertation compared technology transfer and economic development at the University of Cambridge, UK and Yale University, US, and their influence on the development of the local biotechnology clusters. This project resulted in three articles in referred journals and a book manuscript with Stanford University Press.

Recent publications include:

Articles

  • Cluster sustainability: The Israeli Life-Science Industry. Economic Development Quarterly. Online First (2013).
  • The Engaged University. Journal of Technology Transfer. With M. P. Feldman. 37 (2): 139-157 (2012).
  • The Larger Role of the University in Economic Development Introduction to the Special issue. Journal of Technology Transfer. With M. P. Feldman. 37 (2): 135-138 (2012).
  • Improving or impairing? Following technology transfer changes at the University of Cambridge. Regional Studies. 45 (4): 463-478 (2011).
  • The Role of Research Universities in the Development of Regional Bioclusters: A Study of MIT and Yale Commercialization Strategies. With R. O'Shea, and T. Allen. The Journal of Product Innovation Management, 25 (2): 129 - 142 (2008).
  • From Ivory Tower to Industrial promotion: The Development of the Biotechnology Cluster in New Haven, CT. Revue dEconomie Industrielle, n°120 | 4e trimestre 2007 (2007).
  • Boston Metropolitan Area Biotechnology Cluster. In The Canadian Journal of Regional Science, 26 (2): 249-263 (2006).
  • Manufacturing Biotechnology in Massachusetts. MassBenchmarks. 8 (1): 26-30 (2006).

 

Edited Journals and Book Chapters

 

  • Enhancing Economic Growth?  University Technology Commercialization, in David B. Audretsch and Mary L. Walshok editors, Creating Competitiveness (2013).
  • The Larger Role of the University in Economic Development Special issue, Journal of Technology Transfer. Breznitz, S. M., and M. P. Feldman Eds. (2012). 
  • The American Experience in University Technology Transfer, with Maryann P. Feldman, in Maureen McKelvey & Magnus Holm¨¦n, editors, European Universities Learning to Compete: From Social Institutions to Knowledge Business. Edward Elgar Press (2009).
  • Yale as a Regional Development Agent, in Rory O'Shea and Thomas Alan editors, Building the Entrepreneurial University. Cambridge University Press (Forthcoming).

Working Papers

  • Cluster Sustainability in Peripheral Regions: A Case Study on Israel's and Finland's Biotechnology Industries. With A. Tahvanainen., and E.  Tutkimuslaitos. Research Institute of the Finnish Economy (2010).
  • Are One Track Pony Clusters Sustainable? The Israeli Biotechnology Industry. Industry Studies Association. Working Paper Series 2009 Number WP-2009-6 (2009).
  • From Ivory Tower to Industrial Promotion: The Case of Yale University and the Biotechnology Cluster in New Haven, Connecticut. Shmuel Neeman Institute for advanced Studies, Technion, Israel. STE – WP 28 (2005).
  • Boston Metropolitan Area Biotechnology Cluster. Center for Transportation Studies Boston University. With W. Anderson. WP # CTS2004E (2004).

 

Work in Progress

  • Hitting the Target: Testing Technology Commercialization Factors. With N. Ram.
  • Industrial Agglomeration vs. Clusters – “Real” Communication or is it all “in the air”?
  • A Typology of University Research Parks: What do Parks do and Why Might It Matter. With Lawrence, T. B., McCarthy, I., Von Nordenflycht, A., and Silvestre, B.