This monograph weaves together a history of theories of the diffusion of innovations in selected academic disciplines, tracing the influence of these theories in the formulation of national science and technology policies for 1960 to present. It moves along two main warps - disciplinary traditions of diffusion research and a synoptic history of U.S. science and technology policy - weaving them together at times and in places to demonstrate both their singular threads and crisscrossing patterns. Given the monograph's shifting focus back and forth between intellectual history and science and technology policy history over a 50+ year time period, it is useful to first set out the organization. Section 2 describes the concurrent rapid conceptual development and empirical testing in the 1960-1970s of models of diffusion of innovation in economics, geography, political science, and organizational theory that arose alongside but often in competition with prior ""traditions of research"" in (rural) sociology and anthropology, and the intra- and interdisciplinary battles over competing theories of diffusion for theoretical/disciplinary hegemony and policy relevance. Section 3 shifts from intellectual history to science and technology history. Section 4 describes the shifts beginning in the 1980s and continuing since then in policy agendas, conceptual models, and framing of U.S. science and technology policies and among OECD nations towards economic growth and competitiveness. Section 5 examines the re-emergence in assorted forms of academic interest and external funding in diffusion research circa 2000 to the present, also noting the current limited ties between this research and science and technology policy formulation.

In 2010, the National Research Council published the report U.S-Iran Engagement in Science, Engineering, and Medicine (2000-2009). The review of the program described in detail the National Academies' science, technology, and health cooperation program carried out jointly with partners in Iran (otherwise known as science-engagement). The purpose of this new publication is to document the history and details of the National Academies' program of science-engagement from 2010 through 2016, while providing a perspective in considering future science-engagement. A variety of cooperative activities, and particularly workshops that dominated science-engagement during that period, are highlighted. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Context for Science-Engagement Activities 3 Program Activities from 2010 to 2016 4 Overcoming Barriers to Cooperation 5 Uncertain Future for Science-Engagement Appendix A: Timeline for Selected Activities of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (1999-2016) Appendix B: Workshop Proceedings and Other Documents about Meetings Sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (1999-2016) Appendix C: Strategic Science and Technology Approaches of Iran (2015) Appendix D: Key Science and Technology Policies of Iran (2010-2016) Appendix E: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Search of Scopus Data Base for Iranian Publications (2014) Appendix F: Project Opportunities Identified during Workshop on Climate Change (2015) Appendix G: Management of Land and Water Resources: Lessons Learned from Alborz Pilot Effort Supported by World Bank (2005-2013) Appendix H: Selected Provisions of Annex III of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: Civil Nuclear Cooperation (2015) Appendix I: European Union Agreements with Iran on Cooperation in Science and Technology (2016) Appendix J: Priority Environmental Interests of Supreme Leader and Opportunities for Cooperation (2015)