ENLIGHTENMENT: George Baxter on Aggie Square and Innovation in Higher Ed

ENLIGHTENMENT: George Baxter on Aggie Square and Innovation in Higher Ed

  • ALL AGES

Meet the man in charge of turning UC Davis research and projects into money-making products and services.

By California Groundbreakers

Date and time

Location

Ruhstaller BSMT

726 K Street Sacramento, CA 95814

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 2 days before event

About this event

  • Event lasts 1 hour
  • ALL AGES

Hi, it’s Vanessa, your ENLIGHTENMENT host.

On May 2, Aggie Square, the $1.1 billion innovation center UC Davis built in Oak Park, had its grand opening. Now the man in charge of it, George Baxter, can work on his mandate: turning UC Davis research into marketable products and services that benefit society and bring money back to the university.

A native of Scotland, Baxter joined UC Davis last year in the new role of chief innovation and economic development officer. He led research and science projects for universities and government in the United Kingdom, and most recently served as CEO of the University of Edinburgh’s innovation arm. Now he’s bringing his skills across the pond to expand UC Davis from its traditional teaching/research roles to becoming an innovator, entrepreneur and business creator.

With the Trump Administration cutting off a lot of federal funding to Higher Ed, and with our state’s budget in a deficit, California colleges and universities need to do something different so they can stay solvent. How is Baxter going to help UC Davis do it? And how will his management of Aggie Square benefit us in Sacramento?Join me for a talk with George Baxter about Aggie Square, his plans for innovation and monetization, and what’s going to happen with university research and funding.

Bring your questions — nothing’s too small or too dumb to ask.

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Ruhstaller BSMT has a variety of beers on tap, as well as wine, kombucha and N/A beverages. Please feel free to BYO food.

Transportation Options include:* Hourly street parking meters along L Street* Covered/outdoor parking garages on L Street/Kayak Alley between 7th and 8th Street ($12)* City garages: Capitol Garage at 1129 10th St. and City Hall Garage at 917 10th St. ($7)* Light rail transit: Ruhstaller is super close to stops on the Blue, Green and Gold lines

For more information about ENLIGHTENMENT and about California Groundbreakers, go to californiagroundbreakers.org

Tickets

Frequently asked questions

What are my parking options?

The nearest parking lots, both covered and uncovered, are half a block from Ruhstaller's, on L Street between 7th and 8th Streets. Less-expensive parking are at the city-owned garages nearby: 1) Capitol Garage at 10th and L Streets; and 2) and City Hall Garage at 10th and I Streets.

Is the basement accessible?

Yes, besides the stairs, there is a small elevator near the entrance that goes to the basement.

Are there any food options?

Three restaurants very close to Ruhstaller's that you can dine in/ order takeout are: 1) Koja Kitchen at 732 K St; 2) Kodaiko Ramen at 718 K St; and Beach Hut Deli at 711 K St (on Ali Youssefi Square)

Organized by

We're a civic-engagement, community-focused organization putting together panels, interviews, discussions and events focused on cool people doing groundbreaking things and possibly causing earth-shattering change in California and beyond.

These are not your typical seminars held in Sheraton Ballroom C. Consider them "cocktail conversations." We host regular events in fun, lively spaces around Sacramento for California's innovators to talk about what they're doing. And there's always great beer, wine and libations on hand.

Come, listen, ask questions, mix and mingle with other interesting people, and get inspired to make your own change.