Innovation Research
Theme Coordinators:
INNOVATION RESEARCH AT CIMR
Innovation lies at the heart of progress, driving transformation across societies, industries, and economies. At CIMR, we explore the multifaceted world of research innovation, delving into its role as a cornerstone for addressing global challenges and fostering sustainable development.
Through cutting-edge research and collaboration, we examine the geography of innovation, the intersection of sustainability and technology, and the evolving industrial policies that influence innovation ecosystems. Special attention is given to the role of innovation intermediaries in navigating the complexities of digital and green transitions, reflecting our commitment to building bridges between knowledge, policy, and practice.
Our research work within the Innovation fields spans a diverse array of domains, including:
- Innovation in Digital
- Regional development, geography of innovation
- Innovation in the Life sciences
- Sustainability, green innovation
- Innovation and industrial policy
- Innovation intermediaries and the digital and green transitions
Our Centre also serves as a hub for intellectual exchange, hosting events and workshops that engage thought leaders from academia, industry, and policy. From investigating the types and functions of innovation intermediaries to mapping regional strengths in emerging technologies, our research publications contribute valuable insights to the global discourse on innovation. Join us as we continue to uncover the potential of innovation to inspire change and shape a better, more sustainable future.
Below you can find more information about our Innovation research, including our recent publications, events and workshop in this field.
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RECENT PUBLICATIONS WITHIN INNOVATION RESEARCH
- Colovic, A., Caloffi, A., Rossi, F. and M. Russo (2024) Institutionalising the digital transition: The role of digital innovation intermediaries, Research Policy.
- Caloffi, A., Colovic, A. , Rizzoli, V. and F. Rossi (2023) Innovation intermediaries’ types and functions: a computational analysis of the literature, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, vol.189.
- Russo, M., Caloffi, A., Colovic, A., Pavone, P., Romeo, S. and F. Rossi (2022) Mapping regional strengths in a key enabling technology: The distribution of Internet of Things competences across European regions, Papers in Regional Science, 101(4), pp. 875-900.
- Rossi, F., Caloffi, A., Colovic, A. and M. Russo (2022) New business models for public innovation intermediaries supporting emerging innovation systems: The case of the Internet of Things, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 175.
- Rossi, F., Caloffi, A., Colovic, A. and M. Russo (2020) Public innovation intermediaries and digital co-creation (research contribution to OECD TIP 2019-20: “Co-Creation Project”)
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RECENT EVENTS and Workshops WITHIN INNOVATION research
- Researching Innovation: governance and institutions (19 February 2025) - Panel: Muthu de Silva - Birkbeck, University of London, CIMR; Giovanni Barbato - Università degli studi di Milano (University of Milan); Fumi Kitagawa - University of Birmingham, CIMR; Thanos Fragkandreas - University of Westminster, CIMR. Link to YouTube Video
- Demand side public policy for innovation (19th June 2024) - Chair: Dr. Marion Frenz, Birkbeck CIMR Speaker: Dr. Fabrizio Tuzi – senior researcher at Institute on Regional Studies – Italian National Research Council Discussants: Prof. Daniele Archibugi, Birkbeck, CIMR; Prof. Helen Lawton Smith, Birkbeck, CIMR. Event blog link
- Joint Workshop: Emerging Technologies for Effective Teaching, Assessment and Research (7th June 2024) In collaboration with Westminster CETI, SGW, University of Westminster, Innogen and the University of Edinburgh. Event Blog Link
- Workshop: Sustainable Innovation and Digitalisation (14 May 2024) - Chair: Dr. David Bartlett (Kogod School of Business) Saverio Romeo (Birkbeck, University of London) “Digital Technologies and Sustainability: A Challenging Relationship”; Muthu de Silva (Birkbeck, University of London) and Brett Anitra Gilbert (Kogod Business School) “Gone, but not forgotten: emigrants and the co-creation of sustainable social innovations for origin countries”; Taha Anis, Sanna Kumpulainen & Johanna Hautala (University of Vaasa) “Perceived sustainability in remote knowledge working with advanced information technologies” Final discussion – Panel: Helen Lawton Smith, Jouni Juntunen, Tomasz Mroczkowski, Muthu de Silva, Federica Rossi. Link to YouTube Video
- Joint Workshop: Skills for Innovation (24 April 2024) - In collaboration City-Region Economic Development Institute (City-REDI), University of Birmingham (UoB), with kind support from the Innovation and Research Caucus (IRC). Event blog link
- Generative AI Tools for Organisations – Which benefits? Which challenges? (7 February 2024) - Panelists: Dr. Paul Nulty (Birkbeck), Dr Andrew Atter (GBS Oxford Brookes University and Birkbeck), Shazade Jameson (Technopolis Group, Belgium); Chair: Saverio Romeo (University of Westminster and Birkbeck). Link to YouTube Video
- Science Parks & Innovation Districts - evolution or bedfellows?(1 November 2023) Chair: Emma Palmer Foster, Birkbeck University of London Stephen Cowan, Leader of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham; White City Innovation District Dr Josep Miquel Piqué, President of Technova Barcelona – La Salle Innovation Park; President Triple Helix Association Discussant: Åsa Lindholm Dahlstrand, Professor of Innovation, University of Lund. Link to YouTube Video
- CIMR 15th Anniversary event - Workshop 1: Future of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Studies (20 October) Panel: Professor Martin Meyer, University of Vaasa; Prof Tim Vorley, Oxford Brookes Business School; and Professor Muthu De Silva, Birkbeck, University of London. This session was chaired by Brett Gilbert, Kodog School of Business. Link to YouTube Video
- Social trust and firms' innovation in Chinese provinces (13 July 2023) Panel Chair: Dr Grace Bo Peng, Department of Management, Birkbeck, University of London Dr Luca Andriani, Department of Management, Birkbeck, University of London Discussant: Professor Chunyan Zhou, Co-founder/CEO of the Triple Helix Institute. Link to YouTube Video
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pARTNER RESEARCH Institutes AND UniversitiesWITHIN INNOVATION research
- Kogod School of Business, American University
- University of Vaasa
- UIC Barcelona’s Quality & Innovation for Service Excellence (QISE)
- Centre for Innovation Research, Lund University
- Warwick University
- Enterprise Research Centre (UK)
- Innovation & Research Caucus
- Oxford Brookes University
- University of Westminster