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Policy briefings

We’re all innovators now: How users are changing the rules of innovation

Policymakers remain sceptical about the importance of user-led innovation. But if the UK is to harness this new wave of creativity, it needs to develop policy to support it.
Unlocking innovation in British cities and regions

Innovation performance varies substantially across Great Britain and the different history of each city-region has a substantial bearing on its economic position today.
Measuring innovation

Existing innovation metrics constrain policymakers by reinforcing a linear model of innovation that bears little relation to the innovation that is most relevant to the modern UK economy.
Total innovation policy briefing

Policymakers and industry should work together to develop Total Innovation Strategies for the UKâ€™s most important industries, informed by new measurements that capture total innovation.
Innovation in services policy briefing

This Policy Briefing sheds light on innovation in the services sectors. It shows how innovation happens in services businesses and how policy can help overcome the barriers they face.
Unlocking the potential of innovative firms policy briefing

British entrepreneurs are not lacking in ambition and the general business climate is good. But a mix of conditions, institutions and attitudes is holding firms back.
Towards an innovation nation policy briefing

DIUS has recognised that a service-based economy like the UK's will need to think differently about how, where and why it innovates.
Beyond the creative industries: making policy for the creative economy policy briefing

Policymakers must recognise that the reach of the creative economy stretches far beyond the creative industries. They will need to go beyond industry-based approaches if the UK is to make the most of its creative capabilities.
Innovation against climate change policy briefing

The Climate Change Bill sets a statutory emissions target for the UK. To meet the challenge, the UK needs to make the transition to a low-carbon economy. However, it is currently locked-in to high-carbon technologies and ways of working.
Social innovation policy briefing

Nearly all innovation policy is tailored to the needs of traditional for-profit science and technology-based innovation. However, meeting the economic and social challenges of the coming decades will increasingly require fundamental improvements.
Making innovative places policy briefing

Place matters to innovation. From Silicon Valley to Shoreditch, innovative places attract the brightest and most creative people to produce a ferment of new ideas and ways of working.
Innovation goes global policy briefing

In a globalised economy, the UK cannot 'win' on every front - but it can focus its resources intelligently. It should embrace globalisation by encouraging collaboration and giving UK businesses the skills and tools they need to compete.
Driving innovation in Scotland policy briefing

Innovation is vital to Scotlandâ€™s future economic prosperity and social well-being. As the nation becomes more reliant on services it must develop its own distinctive innovation policies.
Innovation policy in the modern world policy briefing

Innovation has changed dramatically since the model of 'Big Science' in the mid-20th century. Globalisation, new technologies and growth in the service sectors are all combining to quicken the pace of change today.
End of the beginning policy briefing

NESTA's response to the Sainsbury Review of Government's science and innovation policies.
Five ways universities drive innovation policy briefing

The UK's increasing need to innovate to meet the economic and social challenges of the 21st century will place further pressure on these roles, but importantly will also introduce two more - universities' international and regional missions.
New types of innovation for a low-carbon society policy briefing

In response to the challenge of climate change, the UK needs to make a transition to a low-carbon economy.
Innovation policy at the Cabinet Table policy briefing

For the first time, innovation policy has a seat at the Cabinet table. This move reflects the fundamental importance of innovation in meeting the economic and social challenges of the 21st century.
Connect, collaborate, innovate policy briefing

Collaboration has always been at the heart of innovation, but we think meeting the economic and social challenges of the 21st Century will require more extreme partnerships.
Science: an engine of innovation policy briefing

In a world where the UK is competing not only with the United States and Europe but with emerging science powerhouses like China and India, we think science policy needs to become more prominent, but more importantly it needs to become more sophisticated.
Entrepreneurship education for the creative industries policy briefing

The UK has no problem starting creative businesses, but it struggles to grow them.
Education for innovation policy briefing

Innovative individuals derive confidence from their mastery of the basic skills that are the building blocks of all good education, and possess the deep subject knowledge that allows them to create new ideas.
Making money at the early-stage policy briefing

We think a lack of investment is hurting the development of the UK's next generation of world-beating businesses.
Reaching out from the creative silo policy briefing

Policy has successfully championed the arts and creative industries. They now represent an important sector on which the UK will place increasing weight.
Innovation in response to social challenges policy briefing

Our most significant social challenges - such as those associated with an ageing population and environmental sustainability - are resisting conventional approaches to solving them.
Driving innovation through public procurement policy briefing

Innovation in procurement is crucial if the government is to meet its objectives of reducing costs and improving public services.
Innovation in UK cities policy briefing

Any place with an internet connection can participate in a knowledge-based global economy.
Innovative entrepreneurship in the UK policy briefing

While the UK has been successful at increasing the number of businesses, it is apparent that some entrepreneurs are more innovative than others.
The innovation gap: Why policy needs to reflect the reality of innovation in the UK policy briefing

Innovation is vital to the future economic prosperity and social well-being of mature economies such as the United Kingdom.