Category: Knowledge library

Transforming Systems Through Innovation Portfolios: A Journey Across Science, Policy, and Practice

Innovation is often seen as the spark of a new idea, but what if the real power lies in the connections that bring those ideas to life? My latest research, now published, delves into the concept of transformative innovation and the role of policy portfolios in driving systemic change.

Drawing on years of collaboration with EIT Climate-KIC, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), and the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium (TIPC), this paper focuses on the sustainable food sector as a case study. It highlights the importance of “intermediation”—the ability to bridge gaps between science, policy, and practice—to orchestrate innovation ecosystems that can tackle complex challenges.

This work is deeply personal, reflecting the values and experiences I’ve gained from working with inspiring colleagues and organizations. It also builds on the narrative we developed in the EIT Climate-KIC/JRC handbook Co-creation for policy, emphasizing the need for collaboration across sectors and disciplines.

As we face urgent global challenges, I hope this research inspires others to explore the transformative potential of innovation portfolios. Together, we can create the frameworks needed for a more sustainable and equitable future.

Original manuscript:

Author Manuscript_Systemic intermediation for transformative research and innovation policy Bodnick et al 2025Descarga

This is an original manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research on 12 March, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13511610.2024.2444535

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Foresight as a catalyst for systemic change and co-creation in public policy

Unfolding world events have made policymakers realise that the capacity to act needs to be built according to a long-term perspective under complex and uncertain conditions. This has led
to a rapid increase in the application of strategic foresight to policymaking at all levels of governance.

This paper examines the role of foresight in supporting public policy through inclusive co-creation processes in the face of the systemic change needed to engage in the long term transition towards sustainability. It explains briefly how to master the diverse foresight resources available to make
policy design more systemic and better able to mobilise multiple actors in a coordinated way.

Link to the publication HERE

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Redefining the Role of STI Policy in Achieving Just Sustainability Transitions

I had the privilege of participating in an insightful panel organised by OECD with a very diverse group of speakers to address this challenging topic : Jessica Ambler, Henrik Larsen, Mikael Román, Dmitry Plekhanov,Guillermo Anlló, and Ana Persic.

We we explored recommendations, guidelines or tools recently deployed to support relevant stakeholders in guiding the development of STI activities and outputs to prepare for and respond to global systemic threats. Exchanges between panelists and with the audience might focus on unpacking:

– Whether the scientific process and modern STI policy are well-equipped to support the realisation of just and inclusive sustainability transitions.

– The roles that IOs, specifically, can play in promoting and informing (transformative STI and STI policy reforms to enable transitions.

– Good practice and lessons learned through practical experience of supporting STI and STI policy in contributing to transitions.

The most critical challenges to mobilising STI to contribute to sustainability transitions and how IOs can help to overcome them.

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Co-creation for policy and Strategic foresight to build societal resilience

I had the privilege of participating in an insightful webinar organised by FUTURESILIENCE where we explored the dynamic areas of foresight and co-creation in policy development. It provides insights into the work of the JointResearchCentre EU Science, Research and Innovation to produce actionable knowledge to support a multi-stakeholder setting to steer the transformation process towards a sustainable future.

📖 See more about the publications here:
– Co-Creation for Policy Here
– Towards a fair and sustainable Europe 2050: Social and economic choices in sustainability transitions Here

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Co-creation for Policy: Multi-actor agency enabling transformation processes

Co-creation for policy with a wide range of actors – including governments, civil society and business at all levels – is essential for building the capacity to act in complex and uncertain circumstances. To support the journey of transformational processes, co-creation for policy needs to take place at all levels of governance. Agency (capacity to act) varies from actor to actor and depends on the context. How best to organise this capacity? Which actors are best suited to act at which stages? Understanding the potential of the co-creation process to enable multi-actor agency can play a vital role in developing policies and interventions in the coming decades. Using examples at project, programme and multi-location levels, this webinar will illustrate processes and practises that support building multi-actor agency through co-creation processes in the context of strategic intervention areas to address sustainability transitions.

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Strategic Foresight for Regions and Cities

A dynamic participatory lab session during the European Week of Regions and Cities 2023 where European Commission European Committee of the Regions EURADA – European Association of Development Agencies EU Science, Research and Innovation encourage participants to dive deep into “Strategic #Foresight for Regions and Cities” – a pivotal discussion for unravelling the EU actors’ capacity to act on #transformative #change.

Helsinki-Uusimaa Region

Sardinia

Hauts-de-France

Ostbelgien

Partnerships for Regional Innovation

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Co-creation for Transformative Innovation Policy: an implementation case for projects structured as portfolio of knowledge services

This papers presentes the results of a joint effort between #sciencepolicy, the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium, and practitioners, the Climate-KIC, to produce new #knowledge on #cocreation for #policymaking. 
The publication gathers insights on Transformative Innovation Policies from the MOTION project by focusing on implementation aspects with an innovative look at #portfolios of knowledge services.

Thanks a lot to my co-authors Carla Alvial Palavicino and Christoph Brodnik, such a fantastic journey to get here!

Link to the paper

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Exploring indicators for monitoring sociotechnical system transitions through portfolio networks

This paper presents a new approach to #monitoringandevaluation in #sustainability#transitions by focusing on #innovation#portfolios as infrastructure for programme-based investments. It brings new insights for innovation agencies working with project portfolios.

This publication results from a collaboration between the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium (TIPC) and the EIT – European Institute of Innovation and TechnologyClimate-KIC, to create new #knowledge on #scienceforpolicy and #innovation.

Many thanks to my co-authors Caetano C.R. Penna and Oscar Yandy Romero Goyeneche, I really enjoyed working with you and connecting the dots!

Link to the paper

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Innovation portfolios, a practical approach to navigate transformative innovation

Innovation portfolios are complex structures where projects, programmes and actions enable links with interconnected subgroups of projects and programmes, by creating new strategic relations among multiple sectors, locations and levels of government. The application of challenge-led system mapping on innovation portfolios allows multi-stakeholder settings to explore strategic opportunities in terms of multiple nested and articulated innovation portfolios responding to different framings, financial logics and institutions.

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