Lehigh University

Todd A. Watkins, PhD, is Arthur F. Searing Professor of Economics and Executive Director of the Martindale Center for the Study of Private Enterprise at Lehigh University. Author of more than 75 related publications, his research and teaching focus on the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, public policy, and economic development. He’s led Lehigh’s efforts developing entrepreneurship curricula and support infrastructure for student startups. The undergraduate program is regularly ranked among the nation’s top 20 by Princeton Review and Entrepreneurship Magazine, and was #12 by BloombergBusinessWeek. He’s been principal advisor for dozens of startups and social ventures started by students. Dr. Watkins has been consultant to the NIST Advanced Technology Program, the U.S. Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, and a member of The National Academies Committee on Innovation Models for Aerospace Technologies, advising NASA on improving their innovation processes. Watkins earned a BS in Optics from the University of Rochester and his PhD and Master in Public Policy from Harvard University.