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Lauren Lanahan is an academic expert in high-tech ventures, research and development, institutions and public policy. Her research investigates the relationship between institutions and the production of scientific knowledge. In an effort to be responsive to the changing scientific frontier, she employs an interdisciplinary approach to examine these issues from understudied angles. This includes examining local institutions and their engagement with high-tech entrepreneurial ventures; federal investment in early-career scientists and engineers; and contributions of high-tech entrepreneurial ventures to the knowledge economy. Her most recent National Science Foundation grant examines the impact of COVID-19 on small firm activity. She is characterizing changes in the landscape of high-tech small firms that result from the ongoing pandemic and related policy responses. Moreover, she is examining the direct impacts of these institutional policy decisions on the structure and health of the innovation ecosystem and its ability to supply and support public initiatives.

Recent Media: 
New study tracks COVID-19’s effects on small tech firms (Around the O, Sept. 18, 2020)
Oregon’s recovery playbook (Portland Business Journal Aug. 3, 2020)
Faculty Spotlight: Lauren Lanahan (Lundquist College of Business, Dec. 10, 2019)
Lanahan earns national research grant (Lundquist College of Business, April 13, 2017)