Charles W. Wessner, Ph.D.

Dr. Charles Wessner is a distinguished expert in innovation policy and currently teaches Global Innovation Policy at Georgetown University. With a career spanning two decades as a National Academies Scholar, he founded and directed the National Academy of Sciences Program on Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.

 

Recognized globally for his expertise, Dr. Wessner's work focuses on public-private partnerships, entrepreneurship, early-stage financing, and high-technology industry benefits. His latest publication, “Regional Renaissance: How New York’s Capital Region Became a Nanotechnology Powerhouse,” highlights successful regional growth strategies.  

 

Dr. Wessner is the leading U.S. authority on the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. He advises technology agencies, universities, and government ministries worldwide and collaborates with international organizations, lecturing at major universities in the U.S. and abroad.  

 

Dedicated to addressing global challenges in health, climate, energy, water, infrastructure, and security, Dr. Wessner’s work aims to advance new technologies. His commitment to Trans-Atlantic cooperation earned him the honor of Officer of the Order of Merit from the President of France.