Policy
Our Policy and Research Unit (NPRU) aims to shape innovation policies that will help the UK meet national innovation challenges of the 21st century. That means we might use our expert knowledge to influence government and regulatory policy, or consider how policy may support the work of our investment and programme teams.
NPRU also publishes a fortnightly e-newsletter, NESTA ID, providing the latest news from the world of innovation policy and research. It also reports on policy-related issues and events in the UK and abroad. Learn how you can sign up.
Policy Briefings
This is a selection of our latest Policy Briefings. Please visit our website to read other NPRU publications.
We're all innovators now: How users are chaning the rules of innovation
Policymakers remain sceptical about the importance of user-led innovation. But if the UK is to harness this new wave of creativity, it needs to develop policy to support it.
Unlocking innovation in British cities and regions
Innovation performance varies substantially across Great Britain and the different history of each city-region has a substantial bearing on its economic position today
Measuring innovation
Existing innovation metrics constrain policymakers by reinforcing a linear model of innovation that bears little relation to the innovation that is most relevant to the modern UK economy.
Total innovation policy briefing
Policymakers and industry should work together to develop Total Innovation Strategies for the UK’s most important industries, informed by new measurements that capture total innovation.
Innovation in services policy briefing
This Policy Briefing sheds light on innovation in the services sectors. It shows how innovation happens in services businesses and how policy can help overcome the barriers they face.
Unlocking the potential of innovative firms policy briefing
British entrepreneurs are not lacking in ambition and the general business climate is good. But a mix of conditions, institutions and attitudes is holding firms back.
Towards an innovation nation policy briefing
DIUS has recognised that a service-based economy like the UK's will need to think differently about how, where and why it innovates.
Latest Press Releases
- Government to encourage innovation in the service economy
- NESTA report highlights growing dependence on early stage public sources of finance
- UK universities urged to reform
- Risk investment for quicker, cheaper drilling
- Innovative labs for talented scientists and engineers
- Creative entrepreneurs turned Insight Out
- New report shows stress is rife in the NHS
- Statement in response to BMJ article on junior doctors working 91 hours a week
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