Russia’s S&T development and partnership priorities to be discussed at the April Conference
Factors affecting countries’ competition and cooperation in the field of science are among the key issues of modern S&T policy. To facilitate their broad public discussion, the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) will host, in the framework of the HSE XVI April International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development, special three-day “Science and Innovation” section.
In the course of the section’s events (which will take place on 8-10 April, 2015) the experts will discuss new approaches to the Russian S&T Foresight, results of industry-specific foresight studies conducted in such sectors as health, fuel-and-energy complex, aerospace and water resources, and the initiative to establish, based at the Higher School of Economics, an international network of foresight centres. The NRU HSE project on studying technologies’ effect on social development will be introduced for the first time.
On 9 April, workshop on Cross-border Cooperation in the Knowledge Triangle (Research, Education and Innovation) will be held under the aegis of the OECD Working Group on Innovation and Technology Policy (TIP). The “Knowledge Triangle” concept describing models for efficient cooperation between universities, companies, and government agencies to promote innovation, is one of the cornerstones of the European S&T policy for the period until 2020.
Science, as the saying goes, knows no borders, so its infrastructure is becoming increasingly internationalised. This prompts to study factors affecting researchers’ international mobility, and the role of international laboratories in knowledge generation. How do we plan and forecast priorities for international projects? What mechanisms should be used to fund such projects, and allocate intellectual property rights? How joint calls for projects should be organised, and project proposals evaluated? How do we avoid fragmentation and duplication of research, and prevent “brain drain”? The participants will also consider various tools for supporting international S&T and innovation cooperation during the second day of the Science and Innovation session. A specific discussion will focus on the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation “Horizon 2020” launched in 2014, and its calls open to R&D organisations from third countries.
Countries’ success on the global market depends on efficiency of their regional-level innovation policies. Novel approaches to designing regional innovation systems, among other things based on the “smart specialisation” principle, the effect of local conditions on the R&D and innovation activities’ productivity, and efficient practices for cooperation between all levels of public authorities, comprise the agenda of one of the round table discussions which conclude the Science and Innovation section.
The section will be attended by representatives of 15 countries. During the three days of work, presentations will be made by members of the OECD, University of Manchester (UK), University of Ottawa (Canada), George Washington University and George Mason University (USA), National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) (Japan), Centre for Strategic Studies and Management (CGEE) (Brazil), Centre for Social Innovation (Austria), UN Economic Commission for Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Higher School of Economics and other research organisations, and by staff members of Indian, Mexican, and French embassies in Moscow.
Among the section participants there will be also persons responsible for drafting strategic agendas, including representatives of the RF Presidential Executive Office, Moscow City Government, various Russian ministries such as Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Agriculture, Russian Federal Space Agency, Federal Agency for Scientific Organisations, RVC, RUIE, Vnesheconombank, Russian Foundation for Basic Research, Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises, and other development institutes.
Practical aspects of facilitating companies’ development through long-term foresight studies will be discussed at the HSE venue with participation of RENOVA Group of Companies, ROSATOM, ROSNANO, TsAGI, United Rocket and Space Corporation, and the water sector companies.
Click here to see the full programme of the Science and Innovation session.