Innovation and Translation

Exploring how science, technology and innovation can be translated responsibly and sustainably into collective benefits for society

Research, commentary, and events

Commentary
Leading with the Proper Use of Scientific Evidence Is Better Than Hiding Behind It
05 May 2020

Evidence only has scientific meaning when it is part of a body of disciplinary knowledge produced by a community of scientists. Leading with scientific evidence, coupled with a wider values framework, may result in better outcomes for all.
Commentary
The Pandemic Has Sparked Innovation, Offering Lessons We Must Not Forget
01 Apr 2020

COVID-19 has shocked the world and caught most countries unprepared, forcing them to improvise. But amid all the confusion and fear, the power of individuals, organizations, and communities to think differently and to innovate shows what can be achieved when people are united by common, clear priorities and necessity.
Project
Examining innovation in citizen science
17 Feb 2020

Advances in technologies, together with new opportunities for integrating diverse data sources, are enabling innovative methods of data collection in citizen science projects, but new risks have also emerged as the field evolves.
Project
Using foresight to examine the global food system
18 Nov 2019

Based on a series of foresight exercises for the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), researchers developed a global food systems map, a map of systemic interdependencies, and a framework for future action to help the FSA achieve its goals.
Project
Technology's potential to tackle climate change in global agri-food systems
06 Nov 2019

A pilot study identified trends, opportunities and constraints in the use of emerging technologies to address climate-related challenges within the agri-food system. The findings will help to inform and test the potential for future research on the topic.
Commentary
What Is the Future of England's Research and Research Assessment?
01 Nov 2019

Rapid technological developments, changes in public policy, and shifts in the international environment all affect academia. To help understand these effects, RAND researchers asked more than 3,600 academics in England how they expect their research to evolve over the next decade.
Project
Supporting FasterCures' project on biomedical innovation metrics
30 Oct 2019

Researchers helped FasterCures in their effort to understand the metrics that currently measure innovation in the biomedical ecosystem. They also established to what degree these existing approaches are appropriate and relevant to measure and drive innovation for the benefit of patients.
Commentary
Outputs of the Future
11 Oct 2019

Are all types of research outputs of equal value? How do different outputs serve different purposes? Exploring these questions could benefit not only funders and universities, but also result in overall better use of research resources.
Commentary
Measuring Up: How to Ensure Peer Review for Grant Applications Remains Up to the Mark
26 Jul 2019

Expert peer review is considered the gold standard for assessing the validity, significance and originality of research. When it comes to grant applications, however, peer review is not without its shortcomings. Addressing some of the challenges that peer review poses could ensure that the best research receives the financial support it deserves.
Project
How technology may change services sectors
26 Jun 2019

Researchers explored how 'game-changing' tech like robotics, autonomous transport, blockchain, virtual and augmented reality, and wearable devices will impact the EU's services sectors, and their wider socio-economic implications.
Project
Designing an evaluation framework for the NHMRC
17 Jun 2019

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia, have established a new grant program meant to emphasize fairness, reduce burden, and boost innovation and creativity in research funding processes. Researchers developed an evaluation framework and set of metrics to monitor the performance of the program.
Commentary
Eight Lessons to Inform the Future Oversight of Emerging Science and Technology
11 Apr 2019

The prospect of Brexit has prompted much discussion about the future of science and technology in the UK. Effective oversight systems are crucial. They could help to create public trust and minimize risks, while allowing emerging science and technology, along with the businesses that arise from them, to flourish.
Project
Case studies provide lessons in oversight of emerging S&T
21 Mar 2019

Ten case studies examine science and technology oversight around the world. Based on these studies, researchers compiled a list of lessons for policymakers and stakeholders interested in encouraging and enabling emerging technology.
Project
Analysing Norway's health research and innovation system
13 Mar 2019

Researchers are developing case study examples of international health research and innovation initiatives and their key messages, to help support DAMVAD Analytics’ recommendations for the Norwegian health research and innovation system.
Commentary
How to Design a Research Funder
11 Mar 2019

Emerging challenges are leading to an increased emphasis on the impact of research beyond academia. At the same time, funders must adapt to changing expectations about what research can and should deliver, financial austerity, and developments in the topics and methods of research.