Next-generation innovation policiesĀ respond to complex contemporary challenges by adopting new features with deep transformative potential inĀ the economy and society.Ā Such policies go beyond research and innovation systems alone and promote system-wide changesĀ inĀ priority-setting and resource allocations,Ā inĀ institutional setups and regulatory frameworks, inĀ industrialĀ infrastructures,Ā technological capacities and market mechanisms,Ā to meet growing societal needs, such as a cleaner environment, mobility, food or housing.
The understandingĀ of primaryĀ innovationĀ determinants has broadened, from science and research to economic, technological and societal factors. Grand societal challengesĀ such as climate change, demographic, health, poverty and inequality, or EU concepts such asĀ responsible research and innovation (RRI),Ā mission-oriented research and innovation,Ā andĀ Smart Specialization Strategies (S3) connectĀ innovation more closely with well-defined societal goals and bring together the triple objectives of smart innovation-led growth, inclusion, and sustainability.
Next-generation innovation policies require not only new design and implementation mechanisms but also new mindsets and institutional cultures that can be both challenging and rewarding for the broader governance systems they are part of. This talk will look at how next-generation innovation policies take shape and evolve, their rationales and challenges. This may provide new insights and food for thought for academic researchers, business managers, policy-makers and public administrations, as well as other interested innovation stakeholders.
Dr. Marina Ranga works with the European Commissionās Joint Research Centre in Seville, Spain and is Associate Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Warsaw, Poland.
Prior to that, she held academic positions at Stanford University, as Senior Researcher at H-STAR Institute and Faculty Research Fellow at Clayman Institute for Gender Research (2009-2015). Dr. Ranga also held academic positions in Europe, at Newcastle University Business School and Groningen University (2005-2009), University of Warsaw and Sussex University (2009-2011). Her main areas of expertise include: National and regional innovation ecosystems; Regional innovation and smart specialisation; The Entrepreneurial University and University-Industry cooperation, Technology transfer and research commercialization; Gender in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship. In these areas, she developed an extensive research portfolio and publication record, including over 60 book chapters, articles in top-tier journals, research and consultancy reports. Dr. Ranga conducted extensive consultancy and advisory work on innovation and technology for the European Commission, UN, national and regional government innovation agencies. She is a member of the International Advisory Board of the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities and of the Scientific Board of the University-Industry Innovation Network UIIN. She chaired the European Commissionās Advisory Group on H2020 āSpreading Excellence and Widening Participationā and is a member of the UN-ECE Team of Experts on Innovation and Competitiveness Policy since 2007.