In research policy, the "Valley of Death" is a familiar lament. We assume that with enough tax credits or grant schemes, the bridge from discovery to market will build itself. Yet beneath the surface lies a more fundamental disconnect: the tension between what we can see as the "sociology of the academy" and the "epistemology of the engineer".

Australia’s innovation system contains multiple intermediary models, including consultants, brokers, mediators and resource providers. Each model contributes value, yet none resolves the persistent difficulty firms face when adopting external knowledge. This Insight argues that the absence of a dedicated technology transfer agent function is a major structural weakness. TTAs work inside firms, aggregate capability across institutions, and build adoption pathways.

Australia’s innovation economy is shaped by a structural management deficit that separates discovery from execution. This Insight explains why founders who generate breakthroughs often lack the management skills required to build a resilient business, and why capability-building programs misdiagnose the challenge. The divide is visible in startups, SMEs, and university spin-outs, where the transition from research or prototyping into scale demands architectural management ski

Modern innovation ecosystems often fail, not from a lack of talent, but from a failure of collaboration. The key institutional pillars—university, industry, and government—operate in parallel rather than converging. They are driven by fundamentally different missions: eminence, profit, and probity. Genuine collaboration requires a clear-eyed understanding and respect for these core institutional drivers. We must build the bridge from simple transactions to deep, integrated p

Policymakers, business strategists, innovation professionals, and researchers are increasingly being asked to invest in, create, or replicate innovation ecosystems. Until now, a clear framework for understanding what ecosystems are, how they function, and what enables their success has been largely missing, particularly in Australia. The Handbook of Innovation Ecosystems: Placemaking, Economics, Business, and Governance, just published by the Acton Institute for Innovation,

RMIT University’s Enabling Impact Platforms (EIPs) connect researchers, industry, and government to accelerate research translation and deliver outcomes that matter. Covering advanced manufacturing, health, sustainability, and more, the EIPs act as system integrators—breaking down silos, seeding collaborations, and aligning research with national and global priorities.

New research examining 80+ international innovation districts reveals what drives success. From MIT's Kendall Square to Singapore's One North, thriving ecosystems integrate placemaking, economics, business development and governance. Success comes from institutional capabilities and relationships, not impressive buildings. Australian policymakers can learn from global best practices whilst avoiding common pitfalls like property-led development models

Australia’s search for an industrial policy has been long and contested. Centralised models drawn from small unitary states do not fit the realities of a vast federation with diverse regional economies. This Insight argues that the way forward is mission-oriented and place-based: the Commonwealth defines national missions and platforms, while States and regions adapt and deliver through their own specialisations, building resilience, competitiveness, and innovation.

For the first time in many years, there is a genuine opportunity to move beyond the oppositional politics that have hindered structural reform. This new parliamentary composition—more diverse but potentially less fractious—opens the door to building coalitions of the willing for major national reform. If we are to grasp this political moment, we must also confront the structural ambiguity that has long undermined innovation policy in this country. 

Innovation has shaped prosperity and progress, yet its virtues are increasingly threatened by political opportunism and corporate betrayal. How can governments, firms, and individuals protect innovation’s role as a force for good? This Insight from Professor Mark Dodgson shows the way

Crises aren’t just moments of danger—they’re windows of opportunity for transformative change. This Innovation Insight explores why mission-oriented innovation policy (MOIP) has become a global force for tackling society’s biggest challenges. The secret behind MOIP is a compelling narrative that empowers governments to move beyond simply “fixing” markets and instead actively shape them, fostering innovation that addresses real-world needs, to reframe policy, for the public

John H. Howard, 15 April 2025 This Insight explores the growing significance of innovation ecosystems in driving economic transformation...