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Metro Boston’s universities, hospitals, and research institutes are enormously successful, well-established, and world-renowned: they are the region’s “global marker.”  These institutions have a tremendous impact on Boston's economy, quality of life, identity, and civic leadership.  

The impact of education and medical institutions is hard to overestimate.  The region’s 75 colleges and universities employ more than 50,000 faculty and staff, and the eight largest universities have an economic impact totaling more than $7 billion.  The research activities of education and medical institutions also spin off innovation and talent into the for-profit sector, especially in areas of emerging technology.  Many of the region’s most prominent companies (such as Boston Scientific and EMC) were founded by graduates of local colleges, and major companies are creating new facilities here to facilitate interaction with the region’s education and health institutions.  

Higher education and medical institutions are also increasingly providing the economic and civic leadership that was once the province of corporations, but now lacking due to mergers and acquisitions.  New campus-based institutes and think tanks inform and influence local policy and practice.  Higher education institutions also enhance local quality of life through school district partnerships, public service programs, scholarships for local students, and continuing education programs.  The concentration of medical institutions improves the region’s health through access to world-class hospitals and research centers that support public health efforts.  

While major institutions are not likely to leave the region in the near future, the benefits they provide are not guaranteed.  It will take collaboration and investment to ensure that the region fully capitalizes on available opportunities.  Stronger institutional/civic relationships are needed to ensure that the growth of universities and hospitals is supported and fully leveraged to improve economic competitiveness and quality of life.  Sustained support for research programs, especially at state universities, is necessary to ensure continued innovation.  Meanwhile, efforts that facilitate interaction between researchers and the for-profit sector should be expanded to create a pipeline from laboratory to production line.  

5)    Create formal alliances to support higher education/civic collaboration

6)    Support research programs and public/private collaboration at public post-secondary universities

7)    Support coordination of creative economy initiatives