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
Dan Hodges
Deputy Director – Strategy,
Innovate UK
Adam Luqmani
Senior Portfolio Manager,
ESRC
Vacant position
Innovate UK
Melanie Knetsch
Deputy Director – Innovation and Impact,
ESRC
Latest news
Highlights from #CatchingTheWave Social Science & Industrial Strategy Event, 20 May 2019
Opening keynote: ISCF & the Social Sciences in Wave 3 – Dan Hodges, Deputy Director, Strategy – Innovate UK After […]
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Assessing potential social, societal and environmental impacts
Professor Palie Smart and Dr Sara Holmes (University of Bristol) and Professor Miranda Wolpert (UCL) have completed a scoping study […]
Read moreLatest from Twitter
- .@Centre4CI is curating a research symposium on 18 July, in Manchester, bringing together researchers and practitioners to explore how to increase the evidence base and its impact, in community investment. @HACThousing @Mel_Knetsch https://t.co/ixDoikntXt
- RT @timvorley: @CSkidmoreUK @sciencemuseum @EUREKA_NETWORK Great to participate at the @EUREKA_NETWORK showcase event in #Manchester with @…
Follow us at @innovcaucus
Resources
Business Model Innovation
Learn about our work on business innovation and how it can benefit your business.
Knowledge Exchange
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