Richard K. Lester
Encyclopedia
Richard K. Lester is Professor of Nuclear Engineering and head of the Nuclear Science and Engineering Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the founding Director of the MIT Industrial Performance Center.
(1974), and was awarded a Kennedy Scholarship
to study at MIT (1974-76), where he received a doctorate in nuclear engineering
(1979). From 1977-78 he was a Visiting Research Fellow in International Relations at the Rockefeller Foundation
. He has been a member of the MIT faculty since 1979.
and later as a member of the MIT faculty, Lester
developed a number of projects focusing on the management and international control of
nuclear technology. During the mid-1980s he led a pioneering study of the role of innovative
nuclear power technologies in restoring the economic viability and social acceptability of
nuclear power in the United States and elsewhere.
He also made contributions to the field of nuclear waste management, introducing the nation’s first graduate course on this subject, serving on the National Academy of Sciences’ Board on Radioactive Waste Management, and publishing (with co-author Mason Willrich), Radioactive Waste: Management and Regulation (Free Press, 1978). During this period he held the Atlantic Richfield Professorship in Energy Studies at MIT.
Director of the MIT Commission on Industrial Productivity, and led the research that
culminated in the publication of Made in America: Regaining the Productive Edge (MIT
Press, 1989.)
With over 300,000 copies in print in eight languages, Made in America is the
best-selling title in the history of MIT Press.
He also authored the Productive Edge (W.W. Norton, 1998), an analysis of America’s industrial resurgence during the 1990s.
In this position, he has published the following key works:
- "Unlocking Energy Innovation: How America Can Build a Low-Cost, Low-Carbon Energy System" (MIT Press 2011), co-authored with Douglas Hart
- Made By Hong Kong (Oxford University Press, 1997), co-authored with Suzanne Berger
.
- Making Technology Work: Case Studies in Energy and the Environment (Cambridge University Press, 2003), co-authored with John M. Deutch
, United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
(1994 - 1995), Director of Central Intelligence
(1995 - 1996).
- Innovation – The Missing Dimension (Harvard, 2004), co-authored with Michael J. Piore
. This proposes a new framework for developing and sustaining the sources of creativity and innovation in the U.S. economy.
He has also co-authored the widely-cited MIT reports on The Future of Nuclear Power (2003) and The Future of Coal (2007).
Lester’s more recent research includes a study of globalization and its implications for
productivity, innovation, and job creation in five industries, and an international comparative
study on the economic role of the research university. He is also participating in an MIT study
on the future of nuclear power and co-teaches a popular MIT course on "Applications of Technology in Energy and the Environment."
foundations and non-profit groups, and lectures frequently to academic, business and general
audiences throughout the world on developments in the industrial economy.
He also serves as a trustee of the Kennedy Memorial Trust of the United Kingdom.
Education
Lester received his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Imperial College LondonImperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
(1974), and was awarded a Kennedy Scholarship
Kennedy Scholarship
Kennedy Scholarships provide full funding for six to eight British post-graduate students to study at either Harvard University or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology...
to study at MIT (1974-76), where he received a doctorate in nuclear engineering
Nuclear engineering
Nuclear engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the application of the breakdown as well as the fusion of atomic nuclei and/or the application of other sub-atomic physics, based on the principles of nuclear physics...
(1979). From 1977-78 he was a Visiting Research Fellow in International Relations at the Rockefeller Foundation
Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
. He has been a member of the MIT faculty since 1979.
Nuclear Power and Waste Management
First at the Rockefeller FoundationRockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
and later as a member of the MIT faculty, Lester
developed a number of projects focusing on the management and international control of
nuclear technology. During the mid-1980s he led a pioneering study of the role of innovative
nuclear power technologies in restoring the economic viability and social acceptability of
nuclear power in the United States and elsewhere.
He also made contributions to the field of nuclear waste management, introducing the nation’s first graduate course on this subject, serving on the National Academy of Sciences’ Board on Radioactive Waste Management, and publishing (with co-author Mason Willrich), Radioactive Waste: Management and Regulation (Free Press, 1978). During this period he held the Atlantic Richfield Professorship in Energy Studies at MIT.
Made in America: Regaining the Productive Edge
In 1986, as an Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering, he was appointed ExecutiveDirector of the MIT Commission on Industrial Productivity, and led the research that
culminated in the publication of Made in America: Regaining the Productive Edge (MIT
Press, 1989.)
With over 300,000 copies in print in eight languages, Made in America is the
best-selling title in the history of MIT Press.
He also authored the Productive Edge (W.W. Norton, 1998), an analysis of America’s industrial resurgence during the 1990s.
MIT Industrial Performance Center
In 1992, Lester founded the MIT Industrial Performance Center. As director of the Center, Lester works with faculty and students from all five of MIT’s Schools on a broad range of interdisciplinary research projects concerning the uses of science and technology in industry and the implications of these developments for productivity and society.In this position, he has published the following key works:
- "Unlocking Energy Innovation: How America Can Build a Low-Cost, Low-Carbon Energy System" (MIT Press 2011), co-authored with Douglas Hart
- Made By Hong Kong (Oxford University Press, 1997), co-authored with Suzanne Berger
Suzanne Berger
Suzanne Berger is an American political scientist. She is the Raphael Dorman and Helen Starbuck Professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and director of the MIT International Science and Technology Initiative...
.
- Making Technology Work: Case Studies in Energy and the Environment (Cambridge University Press, 2003), co-authored with John M. Deutch
John M. Deutch
John Mark Deutch is an American chemist and civil servant. He was the United States Deputy Secretary of Defense from 1994 to 1995 and Director of Central Intelligence from May 10, 1995 until December 15, 1996...
, United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Deputy Secretary of Defense is the second-highest ranking official in the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Deputy Secretary of Defense is appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate...
(1994 - 1995), Director of Central Intelligence
Director of Central Intelligence
The Office of United States Director of Central Intelligence was the head of the United States Central Intelligence Agency, the principal intelligence advisor to the President and the National Security Council, and the coordinator of intelligence activities among and between the various United...
(1995 - 1996).
- Innovation – The Missing Dimension (Harvard, 2004), co-authored with Michael J. Piore
Michael J. Piore
Michael Joseph Piore is an American economist and professor of economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research centers on labor economics, immigration, and innovation. He was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship in 1984....
. This proposes a new framework for developing and sustaining the sources of creativity and innovation in the U.S. economy.
He has also co-authored the widely-cited MIT reports on The Future of Nuclear Power (2003) and The Future of Coal (2007).
Lester’s more recent research includes a study of globalization and its implications for
productivity, innovation, and job creation in five industries, and an international comparative
study on the economic role of the research university. He is also participating in an MIT study
on the future of nuclear power and co-teaches a popular MIT course on "Applications of Technology in Energy and the Environment."
Consultancy and Trusteeship
Lester serves as an advisor or consultant to corporations, governments, and privatefoundations and non-profit groups, and lectures frequently to academic, business and general
audiences throughout the world on developments in the industrial economy.
He also serves as a trustee of the Kennedy Memorial Trust of the United Kingdom.
External links
- Professor Lester Profile, MIT
- The High Costs of Copenhagen: What Obama's pledge to reduce emissions by 83% would mean in practice, by Richard K. Lester, WSJ op-edOp-edAn op-ed, abbreviated from opposite the editorial page , is a newspaper article that expresses the opinions of a named writer who is usually unaffiliated with the newspaper's editorial board...
, 12/3/09