Smart S&T and innovation agendas in a globalised era

摘要

Innovation is both a source of and possible key response to tackle societal challenges, if broadly conceived in technological, social, organisational and institutional terms. The scale and direction of innovation is determined by a mix of factors, many of them specific to an individual country or region, though increasingly less so as economies and societies become more globalised. In this context, the 4th International Seville Conference on Future-Oriented Technology Analysis (FTA) held in May 2011, illustrated how FTA can contribute not only to the steering of S&T and innovation systems, but also to their adjustment, adaptability and ability to shape responses to challenges and transformations (JRC-IPTS, 2011). The presentations addressed themes as varied as energy and natural resources, research and innovation policy-making, governance and horizon scanning, innovation and sustainability, nanotechnology and global challenges. All contributions had in common that they were calling for appropriate forms of FTA to support and enable both organisations and individuals to anticipate, adapt and respond proactively to grand challenges by defining respective future S&T and innovation agendas and contributing to smart specialisation.