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Regular version of the site

Presentation of new research international laboratories, the Research Laboratory for Economics of Innovation and the Research Laboratory for Science and Technology Studies

On June 15, the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) organized a presentation of its new research units — two international laboratories, the Research Laboratory for Economics of Innovation led by Ian Miles, and the Research Laboratory for Science and Technology Studies, which will be headed by Jean Guinet.

On June 15, the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) organized a presentation of its new research units — two international laboratories, the Research Laboratory for Economics of Innovation led by Ian Miles, and the Research Laboratory for Science and Technology Studies, which will be headed by Jean Guinet.

Opening the presentation, Leonid Gokhberg, First Vice-Rector, HSE, and Director, ISSEK, reminded that the University began shaping a network of research laboratories which would involve internationally renowned research scholars. "The two laboratories which we present today focus on science, technology and innovation studies. The creation of these units means to us a very important step in terms of moving to the forefront of international research in this area. I am especially proud to announce that the laboratories are headed by our old friends and colleagues who are well known in the international academic community. According to the established framework of activities, the laboratories would involve both experienced and young researches, post-graduates as well as HSE students. This process has already begun and has taken a very positive dynamics over the past months”.

The Research Laboratory for Economics of Innovation will be led by Ian Miles, a prominent British researcher, Professor at the University of Manchester. He participated in the implementation of EC framework programmes aimed at innovation studies in public sector and industry as well as in foresight studies of regional and technological development in Europe. According to Professor Miles, the laboratory will conduct comparative studies of innovation policy and analyze innovation performance of enterprises and institutions as well as emerging technologies and markets. Moreover, great emphasis will be put on societal perception of innovation, patterns of consumers’ innovation behavior and their implications for the development and diffusion of innovation.

Another key issue for the lab is to analyze the knowledge and skills necessary for the implementation of innovation policy, including funding instruments for innovation support. According to Ian Miles, the process of innovation management should not just be productive, but sustainable in the long run. The results of the research conducted by the laboratory will be published in leading international journals. The new laboratory intends not only to analyze Russian innovation case studies but also to interact with foreign research centers, exchange successful practices, technologies, research techniques and research results, which can be useful for the research community dealing with the innovation issues. "It is an ambitious but realistic goal" - Ian Miles assured.

Thomas Gstraunthaler is another foreign scholar who will be working with Professor Miles in the laboratory. He is engaged in research and consulting in finance and auditing. The area of his responsibility in the laboratory will cover the studies of innovation funding mechanisms which are widely applied in the developed countries in form of venture capital funds and other investing organizations, but are poorly used in Russia. It is worth mentioning that Thomas had already worked at HSE as a visiting researcher from March to October 2010.

Jean Guinet, Head of Research Laboratory for Science and Technology Studies is best known for his work in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The first analytical reports for the OECD were prepared by him back in the 1970s. In recent years, as a Head of Country Studies and Outlook Division (CSO) at the OECD Directorate of Science, Technology and Industry, he contributed to the monitoring of science, technology and innovation policy in different countries around the world. One of the latest OECD reviews drafted by Jean Guinet is devoted to the analysis of Russian Innovation Policy.

 Besides educational mission of the lab (training of young researchers, organizing workshops and building university research capacities), Jean Guinet expects its research unit to deliver high-quality expert information to the relevant stakeholders and institutions in charge of the development and implementation of innovation policy. In particular, the laboratory will develop a methodology and tools to assess the innovation process and innovation policy prioritization, to build long-term S&T forecasts using the Foresight studies, etc.

Foresight is the area of professional interests for Dirk Meissner, Deputy Head of the Laboratory, PhD in Dresden University of Technology. In addition to teaching and research activities he has more than ten-year experience of consulting in innovation management, industrial policy, R&D and other areas related to technology development.

The leaders of both laboratories emphasized that their work will not be isolated from colleagues at the University. On the contrary, they expect to interact with other HSE departments and researchers. The same point of view was expressed by Leonid Gokhberg who concluded the labs’ presentation. "It would be interesting to see how the leading edge level of research we are aiming to achieve in the laboratories will be percepted by our colleagues. As to us we are completely open to cooperation with other HSE laboratories and research units and ready to attract students and postgraduates who are interested in this area of ​​research. The next round of selecting employees for our labs will be held soon", added the HSE First Vice Rector.

 

Oleg Seregin, HSE News Service

Photo by Nikita Benzoruk

Presentation by Ian Miles, Thomas Gstraunthaler.pdf

Presentation by Jean Guinet, Dirk Meissner.pdf