Policy discussions on climate change have turned toward ‘solutions’ for a transition to a low carbon society and green economy. Transforming the direction of innovation is at the heart of this. The increasingly popular concepts of ‘system innovation’ and ‘sociotechnical transition’ draw strongly on new ideas from the sociology of innovation. Yet much of the current debate relies primarily on engineering and economic paradigms. This needs to change.
Fred Steward is Professor of Innovation and Sustainability at the Policy Studies Institute, University of Westminster. He is Visiting Professor at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College. He directed the ESRC Sustainable Technologies Programme (2004-6) and was Senior Fellow at the UK innovation foundation, NESTA (2007-8). Since joining PSI in 2009 he has undertaken research for Climate KIC on transition cities, and for the European Climate Foundation on a new industrial innovation policy. Is President of EASST the European association for science, technology and innovation studies.