Politics in research and innovation during disruptive change

Purpose and goal:

Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences, IVA has arranged two seminars on the theme of research and innovation policy in a changing world. The goal was to raise a debate about Sweden´s research and innovation policy in a new landscape, which was achieved with good attendance from six out of Sweden´s innovation councils, the Minister of Education Mats Persson, the State Secretary for business Sara Modig, and Chancellor Beate Eellend, as well as Sara Mazur from Sweden´s largest private research financier, Knut and Alice Wallenbergs foundation.

Expected results and effects:

By highlighting the OECD´s STI Outlook 2023 together with science diplomacy, IVA has been able to hold a nuanced and research-based debate about investments in research and development in Sweden today and in the future. The effect of such a debate is that the international perspective is highlighted before publication of the research and innovation bill.

This was fulfilled as expected with attendance from the Education minister Mats Persson, State Secretary Sara Modig and Chancellor Beate Eellend. The surrounding arrangements contributed to further detailing the debate. Approach and implementation:

The seminars were held over a full day in IVA´s premises. Concentrating the execution into one full day was central to being able to invite Sweden´s innovation councils, OECD director Jerry Sheehan, and having the participation of education minister Mats Persson, as well as state secretary Sara Modig and chancellor Beate Eellend. Experiences and knowledge from this day have since been able to be used in IVA´s contribution to the research and innovation bill as well as subsequent seminars held at IVA; "Näringslivets FoU investments" and during the R2B Summit.