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Computer/Information Services and Australia’s Path to a Future Made in Australia
Australia's Future Made in Australia strategy risks building the factories of tomorrow while outsourcing their digital brains.
This new Innovation Insight argues that Computer and Information Services (CIS)—including software, AI, and cloud platforms—must be recognised as essential infrastructure, not an afterthought.
This Insight proposes a dedicated Digital Enablement stream into the FiMA National Interest Framework. Without this, we risk building yesterday’s industries wit
Dr John H Howard
May 88 min read
The Consensus-Crisis Paradox: Reframing Slow-Moving Crises to Unlock Industrial Transformation
Despite decades of consensus that Australia must diversify beyond resource dependence, policy action has repeatedly stalled. This new Insight from the Acton Institute unpacks this paradox as a slow-moving crisis—a systemic drift that erodes capability, legitimacy, and future prosperity.
The Insight explores why structural reform so often fails, and argues that policy effectiveness in the 21st century depends not just on what governments do, but how they make sense of what mus
Dr John H Howard
May 68 min read
The virtues of innovation are under attack. We must fight back.
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
Dr John H Howard
May 16 min read
Blending Evidence and Wisdom–An Integrated Approach to Innovation Policy
How can innovation policy become both empirically rigorous and open to wisdom that cannot easily be measured? This new Innovation Insight examines the strengths of evidence-based policymaking in building accountability and transparency, while also questioning whether excessive reliance on measurable outcomes risks excluding critical interdisciplinary perspectives. As research and innovation challenges become more complex, the need for richer, integrative policymaking grows.
Dr John H Howard
Apr 299 min read
What makes missions so successful? Crises, narratives and real-world engagement
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
Dr John H Howard
Apr 239 min read
Innovation Interview with Michael Lester from Northern Beaches Radio on the Strategic Examination of R&D
17 April, 2025 In this interview, I discuss with Michael Lester the Mistaken Framing of the Strategic Examination of R&D (SERD), March 2025
Dr John H Howard
Apr 201 min read
The Role of System Integrators in Innovation Ecosystems
John H. Howard, 15 April 2025 This Insight explores the growing significance of innovation ecosystems in driving economic transformation...
Dr John H Howard
Apr 159 min read
The Innovation Imperative–Critical Dimensions for Effective Policy Design
This policy insight evaluates the current state of innovation policy through a multidimensional lens that complements existing frameworks.
Dr John H Howard
Apr 88 min read
The NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035: What Does it Actually Deliver?
What does the NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 actually commit to? This analysis examines the strengths and gaps in the state's innovation stra
Dr John H Howard
Apr 66 min read
Innovation Case Study 2: Canberra’s Innovation Renaissance—An Ecosystem Model for Australia’s Future
John H. Howard, 1 April 2025 Innovation ecosystems are critical for economic resilience and long-term growth. Cities worldwide are...
Dr John H Howard
Apr 16 min read
Venture Capital, Startups, Technology, and Economic Transformation—Balancing Australia’s Innovation Priorities
John H Howard, 25 March 2025 Despite the recent boom in VC investment, which peaked at $10.1 billion in 2021, there is an absence of...
Dr John H Howard
Mar 2511 min read
What's in a Name? The Role of Definitions in Australia's R&D and Innovation Policy
Rajesh Gopalakrishnan Nair 'What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.' - Romeo and Juliet,...
Dr John H Howard
Mar 187 min read
The Critical Differences between the Science of R&D and the Practice of Innovation Management
This is the first of a series on what makes good public policy. Further Insights will be published weekly on Tuesdays. Other Innovation...
Dr John H Howard
Mar 1111 min read
Breaking the R&D Funding Barrier: The Case for Revenue-Contingent Loans
Revenue-contingent loans are a policy mechanism to offer businesses flexible, risk-managed financing, with repayments tied to future revenue
Dr John H Howard
Mar 47 min read
Addressing Problems, Not Symptoms: The Decline of R&D in Australia – Causes, Consequences, and Solutions.
Imagine an Australia where innovation flourishes: industry makes bold R&D investments, universities collaborate, and Government is a partner
Dr John H Howard
Mar 35 min read
Can the Strategic Examination of R&D Solve 2025's Innovation Challenges
Australia has research excellence—now it's time to strengthen innovation ecosystems, financing, and pathways to adoption, application & use.
Dr John H Howard
Feb 258 min read
Translating Research in Urban Innovation Ecosystems: Challenges and Opportunities
Urban Innovation Districts represent a fundamental shift in how cities leverage knowledge, technology, and people to drive economic growth.
Dr John H Howard
Feb 185 min read
Innovation Ecosystems and Economics: Innovation Policy Meets Regional Development Strategy
John H. Howard, 11 February 2025 The transformation of regional economies through innovation presents one of the most compelling...
Dr John H Howard
Feb 115 min read
Innovation Case Study: Building a World-Class Innovation Ecosystem in Coastal Queensland, Australia
Gavin Keeley and Dalene Wray*, 6 February 2025 The Regional Development Australia (RDA) Moreton Bay-Sunshine Coast region presents one of...
Dr John H Howard
Feb 65 min read
Beyond Start-ups: Thinking About Australia’s Technology Policy for Lasting Innovation
Australia’s innovation policy needs a paradigm shift. There must be a framework to support sustainable growth across all growth businesses
Dr John H Howard
Feb 47 min read
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