Supporting innovation through
social science insight
About us
The Innovation Caucus supports sustainable innovation-led growth by promoting engagement between the social sciences and the innovation ecosystem.
Our members are leading academics from across the social science community, who are engaged in different aspects of innovation research.
We connect the social sciences, Innovate UK and the ESRC, by providing research insights to inform innovation policy and practice.
We champion the role of social science in innovation and enhance its impact. This project is funded and co-developed by Innovate UK and the ESRC.
Our mission
To ensure that social science insights support sustainable, innovation-led economic growth.
Our aims
- To ensure innovation programmes are informed by social science research findings
- To enhance the impact of social science by connecting academics with strategists, analysts and technologists at Innovate UK
- To support the ESRC to embed innovation more deeply into its activities
- To facilitate closer collaboration between Innovate UK and the ESRC
- To promote engagement across UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
How we work
We work collaboratively to share knowledge and expertise, strengthen relationships and build a community of practice.
We do this in 5 key ways:
- Serve as a critical friend to Innovate UK and the ESRC
- Provide rapid responses to questions requiring expertise
- Produce in-depth evidence reviews and briefings
- Facilitate masterclasses and workshops
- Undertake research projects and support doctoral interns
Benefits for members
We recruit new members periodically.
Benefits for members include:
- Opportunities for research project funding
- Influencing innovation policies, practices and programmes
- Facilitating / participating in events on specialist research areas
- Extending academic networks
- Sharing ideas, expertise and resources
- Developing closer collaborations with Innovate UK and the ESRC
- Increasing the impact of research
Who we are
Innovation Caucus Management Group
Dr Geeta Nathan
Head of Economics & Insights,
Innovate UK
Debbie Johnson
Lead Research Specialist,
Innovate UK
Melanie Knetsch
Deputy Director – Innovation and Impact,
ESRC
Dr Lucy Gresley
Research Portfolio Manager,
ESRC
Latest news
Future of Innovation Funding Call
‘This is a really exciting opportunity to explore themes that have emerged from other Caucus projects, which have the potential […]
Read more
The Innovators’ Breakfast Club – Series 4
The Innovation Caucus was delighted to host a fourth series of the ‘Innovators’ Breakfast Club’, bringing together leading social scientists […]
Read moreLatest from Twitter
- Hopefully this @InnovCaucus funding to stimulate thought leadership from #SocialScientists on three big #innovation questions will be of interest to our followers - see: https://t.co/aXOcwLXLiz https://t.co/j2aBCAoKjd
- We're excited to announce a new funding call for thought leadership projects on innovation and 1) green growth, 2) social capital and 3) design. Proposals for projects up to £10,000. Deadline 11 April. More info and application details see https://t.co/xYBAIpwKWx https://t.co/D0zSufAQRZ
Follow us at @innovcaucus
Resources
Business Model Innovation
Learn about our work on business innovation and how it can benefit your business.
Knowledge Exchange - Konfer
Innovation brokerage at your fingertips: search the Konfer website to find business-university collaboration partners, experts, research, equipment and funding opportunities.
Our funders
Find out how Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, supports business innovation
Find out about ESRC funded research and collaboration opportunities
Find out about UK Research and Innovation. Innovate UK and the ESRC are part of UKRI