Centre for Innovation Policy Research

We conduct policy-relevant research on creativity, innovation and the economy alongside collaborators from organisations across the public, private and third sectors in the UK and internationally.

Our research has a particular focus on the spatial and place-based nature of innovation. We promote sustainability and responsible innovation when identifying and developing policy-relevant research findings.

Aims

We develop distinctive and impactful research that builds from an inter-disciplinary base of expertise and deploys multiple methods to analyse and inform innovation policy development. Our activities include:

• conducting high-quality research
• producing research outputs
• generating research income
• promoting knowledge exchange and collaboration on innovation policy
• building networks to encourage policy-relevant research on innovation
• informing policy development in Wales, the UK and internationally

Innovation for All - The challenge of free school meals in Wales

Innovation for All workshop video

One of the most ambitious policies that emerged from the Cooperation Agreement between the Welsh Labour Government and Plaid Cymru was the commitment to deliver Universal Free School Meals (UFSM) to all primary school children in Wales. Although this is a highly laudable new policy commitment, it is also a very challenging policy goal when local authorities are already struggling to maintain existing services amidst the twin pressures of tight budgets and the rapidly escalating costs of food and fuel.

This Innovation for All seminar, facilitated by Professor Kevin Morgan, addressed the various dimensions of the UFSM challenge, focusing in particular on the three most common problems:

• the infrastructure (kitchens and dining rooms) to accommodate the increased numbers of children
• the staffing issue of extra hands or additional hours for existing catering staff
• the procurement of nutritious food

Kevin Morgan is an advocate for food sustainability and has contributed to the latest Welsh Government report on embedding sustainability into food procurement: Buying Food Fit for the Future.

Cardiff Capital Region Challenge Fund

CIPR is partnering with the Cardiff Capital Region to develop and deliver a Challenge Fund. The purpose of the CCR Challenge Fund programme is to create commercial opportunities for companies, who are invited to propose solutions to major societal challenges identified through a competitive process by public bodies. The £10m Challenge Fund programme will run over three and a half years and includes £2m provision for research, management and operational activities that will be undertaken by CIPR in partnership with the CCR.

The Challenge Fund programme offers an opportunity for CU researchers to shape and develop a challenge fund initiative, undertaking primary research that informs the development of new policy and practice in the operation and delivery of the fund, while inputting to the practical application of research that contributes to public services innovation. This builds on the previous work of CIPR’s co-convenors and anticipates future opportunities as challenge funds are increasingly part of policy approaches to economic development and innovation.

The Sustainable Production and Supply of Food Challenge

Our current Food Challenge builds upon CIPR's work in food-related areas, and Professor Kevin Morgan is featured in our video introducing the challenge.

Food challenge video

Innovation of Future Public Services (Infuse)

Infuse is an innovation and research programme designed to build skills and capacity for public services across the Cardiff Capital Region.

Funded by Wales European Funding Office European Social Fund, Infuse is a collaboration between Cardiff University, Y Lab, Nesta, Cardiff Capital Region City Deal Office and the ten local authorities that make up the region.

The programme will be built around opportunities to tackle real-life questions, driven by the biggest challenges faced by the region.

Innovation for All

Challenge-oriented innovation and a mission approach to innovation and economic development are emerging as important areas in innovation policy but practical experience of these remains limited.

CIPR has been awarded funding to launch a series of Innovation for All workshops to build capacity and capability of challenge-orientated innovation in the Cardiff Capital Region and to raise awareness of how much public service/charities/third sector can benefit from this approach.

MariNH3

CIPR and the School of Engineering are partnering with the University of Nottingham on a new project to investigate the potential of ammonia to fuel and decarbonise the long-haul shipping industry, and to boost the UK’s powertrain sector.

The £5.5m EPSRC-funded MariNH3 project aims to develop new and disruptive engine technology that will one day cut pollution emitted by today’s diesel-powered marine vessels.

The five-year MariNH3 programme will explore retrofit engine technology solutions that can address issues around engine efficiency, with minimised end energy use and reduced pollution.

As a group, the MariNH3 consortium firmly believe a mix of technologies will be required for the most effective decarbonisation of marine as there is no “silver bullet” fuel or technology to get to Net Zero. However, green ammonia is set to play a key role in marine’s decarbonisation efforts.

Meet the team

Academic staff

Associated staff

Events

Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Series Workshop 1- 18 March 2021

Session 1 - Professor Andrew Johnston

Workshop 1- Session 1| Prof Andrew Johnston

Session 2 - Dr Daniel Prokop

Workshop 1- Session 2 | Dr Daniel Prokop

Session 3 - Professor Michael Fritsch and team

Workshop 1- Session 3 | Prof Michael Fritsch and team

Session 4 - Dr Katharina Scheidgen and Ms Michaela Hruskova

Workshop 1- Session 4 | Dr Katharina Scheidgen, Ms Michaela Hruskova

Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Series Workshop 2 - 25 March 2021

Session 1 - Dr Rhiannon Pugh

Workshop 2 Session 1| Dr Rhiannon Pugh

Session 2 - Dr Ben Spigel

Workshop 2 - Session 2 | Dr Ben Spigel

Session 3 - Professor Shiri Breznitz

Workshop 2 - Session 3 | Prof Shiri Breznitz

Session 4 - Professor Robert Huggins Professor Piers Thompson

Workshop 2 - Session 4 | Prof Robert H

Engagement

The future of skills in the fourth industrial revolution (Virtual Summer School 2022)

It is widely believed that digital disruption is transforming all aspects of the economy and society. This disruption is seen to be driven by advances across interdisciplinary fields leading to technological breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, additive manufacturing, synthetic biology, smart materials, etc.

This session explores different interpretations of the fourth industrial revolution and the role of digital technologies in (re)shaping the future of work, education, and labour markets. Professor Brown presents a theory of ‘job scarcity’ rather than ‘labour scarcity’, which does not signal the end of work, but the need for a fundamental reassessment of current public policy.

The future of skills in the fourth industrial revolution video

Innovation in procurement and supply chain management (Virtual Summer School 2022)

‘Innovation is the new quality’ – it seems that innovation is mentioned in almost every strategy document or values statement. If you are a procurement professional or a supplier, what does innovation mean to you?

During this session, Jane and Oishee outline some of the enablers and barriers to drive more innovation in Wales.

Innovation in procurement and supply chain management video

Thought leadership

In an interview with Business News Wales, Professor Rick Delbridge discussed the reinvigorated focus on innovation both in Wales and as part of the UK’s Research and Development initiatives.

As an input to these debates, the Centre for Innovation Policy Research recently undertook a review of current innovation policy in Wales. This revealed an appetite for a more ambitious and inclusive innovation agenda. What do these developments imply for Wales and how is Cardiff University responding to these?

Listen to Professor Delbridge on the Business News Wales podcast