Building Dynamic Capabilities: How do Cities Adapt to Tackle Grand Challenges
Join UCL IIPP for a panel discussion, taking place on Wednesday 18th June at 15:30 - 17:00 BST.
Building Dynamic Capabilities: How do Cities Adapt to Tackle Grand Challenges
18 Jun 2025, 15:30 – 17:00
About the session
As city governments confront growing socio-economic and environmental pressures, the concept of dynamic capabilities - the ability to adapt, reconfigure, and drive transformation from within - has become more critical than ever. The Public Sector Capabilities Index (PSCI) initiative, led by Professors Mariana Mazzucato and Rainer Kattel, has laid important groundwork in this area through key publications such as Dynamic Capabilities for Transformative Change in City Governments and Assessing Dynamic Capabilities.
How are cities adapting to better guide investment decisions, redesign governance structures, and shape better practices? In other words, how are they developing, deploying and assessing dynamic capabilities?
Join us for a discussion chaired by Prof. Dan Hill, Director of Melbourne School of Design and IIPP Visiting Professor of Practice, with leading practitioners and researchers to explore how cities are operationalising dynamic capabilities in real-world settings, what are the successes and ongoing challenges, and why dynamic capabilities are a strategic necessity—not a luxury—for long-term resilience and impact.
Meet the panel
- James Anderson, Lead on the Government Innovation Programme at Bloomberg Philanthropies.
- Dan Hill, Visiting Professor of Practice at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP), Director of Melbourne School of Design, the graduate school in the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne, and Professor of the Built Environment
- Mariana Mazzucato, Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value, University College London and Founding Director of the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose
- Bridgette Morris, Manager Innovation & Customer Insights at the City of Cape Town
- Ruth Puttick, Senior Research Fellow at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP)
Key information
- When: Wednesday 18th June at 15:30 - 17:00 BST.
- Where: UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, 11 Montague Street, London, WC1B 5BP
IIPP's Forum 2025 - Rethinking the State
The Rethinking the State Forum is UCL IIPP’s flagship annual event, convening global thinkers, policymakers, students, and practitioners to examine how states can build the capacity to drive inclusive, green, and digital transformations. Taking place from 18–20 June 2025, the Forum offers a space for critical reflection and exchange on the evolving role of the state in tackling today’s complex challenges. Through public panels, interactive workshops, and cross-sector dialogues, the event explores themes such as decolonising public administration, rebuilding public institutions, and reconfiguring governance for the common good.
James Anderson leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. An expert in public sector innovation, strategic communications, and urban transformation, he advises municipalities and their leaders on how to solve critical challenges and deliver tangible impact for residents. Previously, James served as communications director for New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. In this capacity, he was the chief architect of NYC Service.
Dan Hill is Director of Melbourne School of Design, the graduate school in the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne, and Professor of the Built Environment. He was formerly Director of Strategic Design at Vinnova, the Swedish government’s innovation agency. A designer and urbanist, Dan's previous leadership roles include Vinnova in Stockholm, Arup in Sydney and London, the Finnish innovation fund SITRA in Helsinki and Fabrica in Italy.
Founding Director and Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value
UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP)Mariana Mazzucato is Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value at University College London, where she is Founding Director of the UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose (IIPP). Her previous posts include the RM Phillips Professorial Chair at the Science Policy Research Unit at Sussex University. She is a member of the UK Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) and the Italian Academy of Sciences Lincei.
Bridgette Morris has over 10 years of experience in Innovation Management, specifically within the Public Sector. She has contributed in developing innovation frameworks and strategies in the organisations that she has worked for, including measuring Innovation Capability Baselines and implementing the outcomes of the studies and strategy output.
Ruth is a Senior Research Fellow at UCL’s Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP). She is working alongside Mariana Mazzucato and Rainer Kattel and in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies, to develop a new Public Sector Capabilities Index. Outside of UCL, Ruth runs a research consultancy.
Further information
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