Do we need a new generation of public institutions for ST&I?

Public institutions for science and technology have hardly changed over half a century; even the UK’s most recent creation, ARIA, is consciously modelled on a US institution founded in the 1960s. But there is much to learn from other sectors that have innovated far more, including business. The deep institutional conservatism of public science may be one factor behind the continuous decline of R&D productivity.

This talk from Sir Geoff Mulgan, Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation, UCL STEaPP & Co-founder, The Institutional Architecture Lab (TIAL), will provide a diagnosis, share alternative ways of thinking being used by some governments around the world, and point to a potentially very different institutional landscape for science and technology in the 2030s.

This event will be chaired by James Wilsdon, Professor of Research Policy, UCL & Executive Director, Research on Research Institute.

Anjana Ahuja, Science Commentator at the Financial Times, and William Cullerne Bown, Journalist at The Independent and New Scientist, will join as a discussant.

The talk will be followed by an informal drinks and nibbles reception, wrapping up at 6pm.

Places are limited so please book in advance to reserve your seat!