The list of the paper’s sections below gives a reasonable picture of its coverage. The numbers in parentheses following the descriptions show the approximate length of each section in pages.
(1) Introduction (1.2).
(2) Business as usual? Relationships between academic and industry (0.6).
(3) Japan Inc. (1.7).
(4) The Alvey and ESPRIT programs (2.6).
(5) The European Computer Industry Research Centre (0.8).
(6) American industrial collaboration: the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC) (0.4).
(7) Star Wars: the Strategic Defense Initiative (0.8).
(8) Problems of research infrastructures: just a matter of profit and loss? (0.5).
(9) Advanced Information Technology as if people mattered (0.7).
(10) Education and training in and with computers (3.3).
(11) Experts and problem solving (1.1).
The main thrust of Ennals’ argument is that, too often, large-scale research programs are dominated by short-term considerations; too little attention is paid to longer-term implications, social consequences, and technology transfer. He advocates greater emphasis on using the new technology for education and training. Ennals is well known, both as an imaginative and innovative researcher into educational uses of advanced information technology, and for his numerous forceful and thought-provoking contributions on wider issues concerning the impact of that technology on society and on the world as a whole. This paper is of the latter kind. It contains facts, ideas, and opinions that are clearly expressed and well presented in a way that is characteristic of the author. Though possibly too “routine” to be “Ennals at his best,” this paper is nevertheless worth reading for anyone concerned about the issues discussed. Whether or not you are sympathetic to Ennals’ philosophy and approach, his well-argued views and proposals are always stimulating and illuminating; this paper is no exception.
