YSI–NACLICS Innovation Futures Initiative: Modeling Tomorrow for Sustainable Development

Project : Modeling Tomorrow: Innovation for Sustainable Development

This Academy is a multidisciplinary initiative designed for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers interested in innovation, development, and policy. It provides a unique opportunity to explore innovation ecosystems as complex, dynamic, and non-linear systems shaped by interactions among governments, businesses, research institutions, and regulatory bodies. Understanding these systems requires a complexity-based approach that accounts for interdependencies, evolving contexts, and unpredictability.

Themes Addressed:

• Complexity science and its application to studying innovation systems
• Evaluation of national and regional innovation policies
• Economic complexity and innovation ecosystems
• Innovation for sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Policy design, evidence-based evaluation, and socio-economic impact

Who is Involved:

• Leading scholars and practitioners from academia, industry, and policymaking
• Young scholars and early-career researchers from the NACLICS and GLOBELICS networks
• Thematic working groups, including Economic Complexity, Innovation Ecosystems, and regional research networks

What to Expect:
Participants will engage in a mix of lectures, mentoring, panels, and practical activities:

• Lectures & Mentoring: Gain theoretical knowledge and hands-on guidance from experts.
• Panel Sessions: Learn from diverse perspectives on innovation policy, research methods, and practical implementation.
• Working Paper Feedback: Receive individualized input on one research paper or working draft.
• Professional Development: Build research, collaboration, and career skills.
• Field Trips & Hackathon: Participate in applied exercises exploring innovation for sustainable development.
• Networking Opportunities: Meet peers, potential collaborators, and senior researchers for long-term professional connections.

Why Take Part:

• Strengthen your understanding of innovation systems using advanced complexity approaches.
• Receive mentoring from top experts in the field.
• Gain exposure to international networks and collaborative research opportunities.
• Contribute to shaping innovation policy and research practices for socio-economic development.
• Present your research to peers and senior scholars, and engage in practical discussions on collaboration.

This Academy is an exceptional platform to connect with a global community, advance your research, and develop both theoretical and practical skills in innovation, development, and policy.