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
Daniel Robinson
Senior Research Portfolio Manager,
ESRC
Debbie Johnson
Lead Research Specialist,
Innovate UK
Melanie Knetsch
Deputy Director – Innovation and Impact,
ESRC
Latest news
The Innovators’ Breakfast Club – Series 3
The Innovation Caucus was delighted to host a third series of the ‘Innovators’ Breakfast Club’, bringing together leading social scientists […]
Read more
New Video: Rethinking the Role of Further Education Colleges in Innovation Ecosystems
Professor Tim Vorley (Academic Lead of the Innovation Caucus) was pleased to join a recent Association of Colleges webinar, supported […]
Read moreLatest from Twitter
- RT @ERC_UK: 💡New ERC paper by @SteveRop - 'Learning from the best: National innovation systems' compares the UK's #innovation system to its…
- RT @ESRC: Develop your career and enhance your understanding of applying research in government contexts with the @ESRC policy fellowship s…
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