i was surfing the chicago tribune website, which i occasionally do while procrastinating, and i came across a cool article about the lab i used to work for at motorola! (update jan ’09: the article has apparently moved — here’s the PDF.) the lab has changed names a few times since i worked there, and the social TV project (CHI 2008 paper, and slides) they’re currently working on was just a future research idea when i left.
i was very happy to see this quote, attributed to crysta metcalf, my former lab-mate with a PhD in anthropology:
She prefers having people with different science backgrounds collaborate over the traditional “throw it over the wall to the engineers” approach to research. “I think this model of working is so important to successful innovation,” said Metcalf, 42, a fast talker with a wide grin whose neat cubicle sports a “Hippie Chicks Rule” sign and a Rosie the Riveter picture.
interdisciplinary research is so tough, especially figuring out how to encourage and reward engineers and social scientists for collaborating. i am glad to hear that it is working well for them, and i hope it will continue. i’d been wondering how things were going over there since i heard the news about splitting the company; turns out motorola labs is going to be losing 150 jobs through layoffs and another 180 through transfers to the product groups (see this article for details). in the words of an analyst quoted by the tribune:
There’s no way to positively spin this. … You’re not going to come out with new products. The only thing it’s going to do is reduce expenses, which is a short-term benefit.
