This research project is led by the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (UCL IIPP).
Explore all IIPP research projects here.
Dates of the project: 2020
The Challenge
The COVID-19 pandemic posed an unprecedented global crisis – economic, social, political, and scientific. Governments and institutions struggled to respond effectively, revealing deep systemic vulnerabilities and a lack of preparedness. The challenge was not only to manage the immediate crisis but to rethink the role of public institutions in shaping resilient, inclusive, and sustainable recovery strategies.
Our Approach
UCL IIPP mobilised its research and policy expertise to support global responses to COVID-19. Working with leading politicians and policymakers across supranational, national, regional, and city levels, IIPP:
- Published a series of briefing papers on key policy issues, including health, debt, macroeconomics, innovation, and public sector capabilities.
- Curated a blog series on Medium to share timely insights and reflections.
- Applied its core framework of public value and market-shaping to help leaders co-design recovery strategies that are innovation-led, sustainable, and inclusive.
This work drew on IIPP’s interdisciplinary research across health policy, green finance, institutional design, and mission-oriented innovation.
Why This Matters
COVID-19 exposed the limitations of reactive policymaking and underscored the need for proactive, purpose-driven governance. IIPP’s research helped revive and reframe the concept of public value at the heart of political economy, offering tools and insights to build back better – not just recover. By supporting leaders in designing transformative responses, this project contributed to shaping a more resilient and equitable post-pandemic future.
Resources
Video: Public Banks at a time of COVID-19: Opportunities, threats, just transitions
Description: Thomas Marois discusses his research on Public Banks during COVID-19 in the IIPP Seminar Series 2020–21, chaired by Dr Olga Mikheeva, with Judith Clifton as discussant.
Video: Shaping markets: Law, institutions and governments in the time of COVID-19
Description: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep flaws in global capitalism. In this IIPP webinar, experts Katharina Pistor, Mariana Mazzucato, and Rainer Kattel explore how legal, institutional, and governance frameworks must evolve to build inclusive and sustainable economies.
Video: MOIN: Mission-oriented innovation in a time of COVID-19
Description: COVID-19 has exposed systemic flaws but also opened a chance to reshape economies. Mariana Mazzucato reflects with global partners on recovery efforts in Italy, South Africa, and Camden, exploring bold policies for inclusive and sustainable change.
Stakeholder capitalism during and after COVID-19
Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (2020). Stakeholder capitalism during and after COVID-19. UCL IIPP COVID-19 Briefing Papers 01 (April 2020).
Read the briefing paper
Inequality, unemployment and precarity
Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (2020) Inequality, unemployment and precarity, UCL IIPP COVID-19 Briefing Papers 02 (May 2020).
Read the briefing paper
Reshaping global health systems in response to COVID-19
Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (2020) Reshaping Global Health Systems in Response to COVID-19, UCL IIPP COVID-19 Briefing Papers 03 (June 2020).
Read the briefing paper
A green economic renewal after the COVID-19 crisis
Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (2020). A green economic renewal after the COVID-19 crisis. UCL IIPP COVID-19 Briefing Papers 04 (June 2020).
Read the briefing paper
This research project is led by the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (UCL IIPP).
Explore all IIPP research projects here.