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
Meet our team
Professor Tim Vorley
Oxford Brookes University
Dr Jen Nelles
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Syahirah Abdul Rahman
Co-Investigator
Dr Lauren Tuckerman
Co-Investigator
Dr Sammy Field
Project Manager
Beth Midwinter
Project Administrator
Research Associates
Dr Michalis Papazoglou
Research Associate
Dr Elvis Nyanzu
Research Associate
Nadeen Purna
Research Associate
Dr Kevin Walsh
Research Associate
Innovation Caucus Management Group
Dr Geeta Nathan
Head of Economics & Insights, Innovate UK
Melanie Knetsch
Deputy Director - Innovation and Impact, ESRC
Ali Merrifield
Research - Senior Programme Manager - Economics and Insights, Innovate UK
Dr Huw Vasey
Strategic Lead - Innovation & Impact, ESRC
Dr Lucy Gresley
Research Portfolio Manager, ESRC
Members
Our members are academics from across the social science community, who are engaged in different aspects of innovation research. See below for a list of our members.