Transitions, evolution & history

Innovations do not arise out of a vacuum but are very much part of longer historical developments, in science, policy and society at large. As such, contemporary developments in science and technology cannot be understood without knowledge of the ways in which they build on previous work and configurations. Historical approaches explore continuities and discontinuities in the development of science and technology, drawing attention to trajectories, transitions and alternatives. Moreover, exploring how specific advances in science and technology unfold over time, including their interaction with research and science policy, can shed light on different approaches for fostering innovation and understanding their value

Projects

In Conversation event: Why is drug R&D so much less efficient now than it was in 1950?

16 March 2023

On the 2nd of February, Dr Farah Huzair, Lecturer in Science, Technology and Innovation Studies, at The University of Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Sciences, and Dr Jack Scannell, CEO of Etheros Pharmaceuticals and Innogen Associate, discussed the reasons underlying the marked decline in drug R&D output efficiency since 1950 and ways to improve it.

Creative states: Is state-led risk-taking the answer to post-Covid-19 recovery?

28 April 2021

Writing in the RSA Journal, Innogen Director, Theo Papaioannou, examines how the entrepreneurial state could work in practice.

In Conversation event: Innovation policy in the UK post-Brexit

24 March 2022

On the 17th March, Innogen Director, Theo Papaioannou, chaired a discussion with Chris Warkup, Visiting Professor, The Open University, and Graeme Reid, Professor of Science and Research Policy, UCL, on the UK’s innovation policy.

Putting scientific knowledge to use

28 November 2019

Chris Warkup, Visiting Professor at Innogen, chaired a session at the Royal Society conference in London on ‘Transforming UK translation’.

Reasons to be cheerful, one, two, three.

8 November 2021

Professor Chris Warkup is optimistic about the UK Government's Innovation policy, read his blog post to find out why.