S Innovation Systems: From Grand Challenges to Specific Solutions (S&R, Teil II; PFA, Teil I) (080330-WiSe26/27)

Knowledge and innovation are widely recognised as key drivers of regional competitiveness and growth. Since its introduction in the 1990s, the Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) approach has been central to understanding the uneven distribution of innovation and regional capacities. Recently, the regional ecosystems approach, incorporating economic, social, and ecological innovation, has gained prominence in research and policy. In addition, innovation policy experienced a turn from fixing market and systems failure towards tackling ‘grand societal challenges’ (SDGs) like climate change, ageing, inclusive and smart growth, and problems of ongoing economic restructuring. This ‘normative turn’ has made way for what has been labelled mission-oriented innovation policy and illustrates the renewed interest in setting the direction of change to facilitate purposive innovations. Nevertheless, missions are usually formulated at the political macro level, even though challenges are expected to happen at the micro level of regions and cities. Therefore, the seminar bridges the macro-political perspective and the local development of solutions by combining the academic and political debates with a hands-on format of solution development within the “Urban Solutions Lab”.