Towards a Holistic Migration Research Strategic Agenda: Integration, Partnerships, and Impact

The London International Development Centre Migration Leadership Team (LIDC-MLT) was commissioned by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), which are part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), to develop a shared interdisciplinary and participatory strategic agenda for supporting migration research. This document sets out proposals for ESRC/AHRC and wider UKRI-funded migration research for the next five years (2020-2025) making clear recommendations about future agenda-setting and work prioritie

How can diplomacy foster sustainable innovations? A case study of Finnish policies

As sustainable development and innovation diplomacy remain key topics in foreign economic, trade and security policies nowadays, innovation is increasingly linked closely with sustainable development into a compiled concept of sustainable innovation. My thesis addresses the question of how diplomacy can foster these sustainable innovations. The context is that global challenges with regard to sustainable development is a central issue in diplomacy, which call for joint actions and changes in policy in order to address them and achieve sustainable development goals under the Agenda 2030. Examining Finland as the case study, qualitative research method is applied, and data collection and analysis draw upon official reports presenting Finnish, EU and Nordic policies of sustainable development and innovation diplomacy in addition to virtual interviews with Finnish policy advisors and specialists of the fields. In total, there are 10 reports reviewed, including Finnish Voluntary National Review, Policy brief, Policy report, and Global Competitiveness Report published by Finnish Prime Minister's Office, Nordic Council of Ministers, OECD, Taloustieto Oy, Sitra, World Economic Forum, World Bank Publications, United Nations, and Research.fi from 2009-2020, all that provide data of policy overviews and strategies, national and regional plans, progress and performance evaluation. There are 7 interviewees who are Ministerial Adviser, Senior Advisor, Senior Specialist and Programme Manager that can provide valid insights due to their knowledge and expertise working for Helsinki EU Office, the Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Nordic Innovation, and Nordic Development Fund. I argue that dimensions of sustainable development be put into the centre of innovation diplomacy policies and hence, the policies can enable global stakeholders to cope with challenges by advanced sustainable innovations generated from the soft power and diplomatic approaches. The outcome of thorough literature reviews and intensive empirical work of this thesis is a framework of diplomacy policies categorised into the domains of innovation diplomacy and sustainable development diplomacy at local, national and regional levels, whose interventions can advance sustainable innovations and simultaneously address key policy challenges of sustainable innovations: balance private sector needs and market dynamics with the global public good; and identify, evaluate and address economic, social or environmental trade-offs among stakeholders doing sustainable innovations. As a result, the findings from the EU, Nordic and Finland works will proliferate the framework further, complementing the theoretical concepts of international relations and innovation policy, the theory of system thinking in improving mechanism of operation between actors in innovation ecosystems, and adding examples of diplomatic approaches in governance of sustainable innovation from the field work- all together supplementing the previous studies of sustainable innovation, innovation diplomacy and sustainable development diplomacy. In conclusion, the thesis reinforces diplomacy as one strategic governance model that fosters sustainable innovations and comprehensively enables global stakeholders to address sustainable development goals at all levels

ICT-Enabled Social Innovation to support the Implementation of the Social Investment Package: Mapping and Analysis of ICT-enabled Social Innovation initiatives promoting social investment in integrated approaches to the provision of social services: IESI Knowledge Map 2015

This report presents the analysis of the Mapping 2015 of the project 'ICT-enabled Social Innovation to support the Implementation of the Social Investment Package' (IESI). It provides an enriched picture of the existing knowledge base and evidence of how ICT-enabled social innovation initiatives that promote social investment through integrated approaches to social services delivery can contribute to the policy objectives of the EU Social Investment Package (SIP) to support the achievement of the goals of the EU 2020 strategy in terms of inclusive growth and employment. After having introduced the policy and research background outlining the overall objectives and scope of the IESI research and the aim of the mapping 2015, the report provides an overview of the methodology followed for enriching the IESI inventory of ICT-enabled social innovation initiatives through a structured dynamic database and by conducting the mapping and analysis of a selected sample of 210 initiatives. The report then updates the review of the literature and practice in domains related to the role and impact of ICT-enabled social innovation promoting social investment, with a specific focus on the area of active and healthy ageing and long-term care for older people, particularly the theme: prevention, health promotion and rehabilitation. In reviewing the state of the art the report discusses the degree of deployment of ICT-enabled social innovations that promote social investment through integrated approaches to social services provision in terms of geographical spread and different areas of social services covered, providing insight into the levels and types of deployment achieved. Further, the IESI conceptual framework which underpins the research and which has been used to guide the mapping and analysis of initiatives is discussed, proposing additional dimensions in order to enrich the framework of analysis itself. Evolving theoretical approaches are taken into account, the aim being to better explain the implications ICT-enabled social innovation initiatives have or may have for social policy reforms. This is followed by an overview of the consolidated results of the analysis of the initiatives collected as part of the IESI mapping exercise in 2014 and 2015. The analysis presents the IESI Knowledge Map 2015, which aims to provide a better understanding of the main characteristics and patterns of the initiatives identified, according to the IESI conceptual framework. Reference is also made to the different welfare systems and social services delivery models which characterise various EU countries in order to contextualise the potential role played by ICT-enabled social innovation to promote social investment through integrated approaches to social services delivery. The findings of specific thematic analyses conducted on a set of selected topics: 1) the role of social enterprise-driven ICT-enabled social innovation initiatives in support of social services delivery; and the implications of ICT-enabled social innovation that promote social investment through integrated approaches to social services delivery in support of: 2) active inclusion of young people; and 3) active and healthy ageing and long-term care for older people, particularly as regards prevention, health promotion and rehabilitation are then presented. Finally, the main conclusions deriving from the analysis of the mapping in terms of the contribution made by ICT-enabled social innovation promoting social investment through integrated approaches to social services delivery to the implementation of the SIP are outlined. This is complemented by an analysis of the gaps identified; the limitations of the current mapping exercise and recommendations for future research, as well as implications and possible directions for policy.JRC.J.3-Information Societ

Future Of Cluster Developments – Lessons From Energy Valley, The Netherlands

The research explored how a Dutch energy cluster embedded within a larger context of European and global developments reflected complex dynamics due to changes in its context. The case study explored Energy Valley of the Netherlands, a peripheral region that meets the challenge of energy transition, regional development and national economic interests. The research engaged complex adaptive systems approach to gain insights into complex cluster dynamics to contribute to cluster study and policy. The research captured insights into increased complexity of an energy cluster due to energy transition and other developments in the cluster context, exacerbated by differences in perceptions and responses of stakeholders to the new challenges. Findings on cluster developments included insights into cluster context, cluster condition, cluster dynamics and cluster transformations, and the interconnectedness of such developments based on Energy Valley and supplementary cases of Karlstad and Silicon Valley. The research findings led to insights into cluster systems developments and a model capturing cluster emergence. The research contributed to cluster theory by developing a CAS approach for cluster study that developed a whole systems approach to understand cluster dynamics, offering to the field of cluster study a qualitative understanding of cluster systems developments. Insights into interconnected developments at the micro, macro and inter-systemic levels, and into energy clusters in the context of energy transition were results of the research. The broad scope and nature of the study meant limitations were inherent and therefore recommendations for future research were included. EU Cluster Policy motivated the research and hence recommendations for policy developments were also part of the research contribution

Midterm evaluation Research 2016-2018:

The research of TU Delft’s Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment (Faculteit Bouwkunde) covers the full spectrum of design, engineering, planning, and management of the built environment. Its research portfolio comprises the research that is conducted by four departments: Architecture Architectural Engineering + Technology (AE+T) Management in the Built Environment (MBE) Urbanism The faculty’s research focusses specifically at improving the design and performance of buildings, districts, cities and regions in order to better meet the requirements and expectations of their users and communities. From that perspective, much of the research that is conducted can be understood as applied science, appealing to the curiosity and the needs of other researchers, practitioners and the broader public alike. The research is a blend of humanities, social and engineering sciences. The humanities are strongest represented in the Architecture department, social sciences in the MBE and Urbanism departments, while the engineering sciences find their strongest representation in AE+T