The United Kingdom, an “Innovation Nation”

Last summer, the United Kingdom Government created the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, after the Education and Skills and Trade and Industry Departments were disbanded. The new Department has an ambitious goal: to turn the United Kingdom into an “Innovation Nation” that is the world’s most attractive country for innovative businesses, public services, and civil society organizations. John Denham, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, writes in the foreward to a new report to Parliament, titled “Innovation Nation” (pdf):

We want innovation to flourish across every area of the economy and, in particular, wherever high value added businesses can flourish and grow. We must innovate in our public services too. Innovation is as important to the delivery of healthcare and education as it is to industries such as manufacturing, retail and the creative economy.

The report argues that innovation is becoming, and should become, increasingly demand-driven and ignorant of public-private institutional walls. The report calls upon the government to recognize “new sources of innovation and, in particular, develop new instruments that drive demand for innovation as well as its supply.” Toward this end, the report outlines dozens of innovation initiatives, including some that focus on innovative citizens, urban and rural regions, and government services.

Now is an appropriate time for the U.S. government to consider its own strategy for supporting and applying the benefits of science and engineering research to meet national and international challenges.

Tags: Innovation

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