New research will examine what inclusive innovation looks like in Cambridge. Andrew Limb, Assistant Chief Executive of Cambridge City Council, will identify what drives success and what hinders progress in enabling, unlocking and amplifying inclusive innovation.
Cambridge is known the world over for its innovation ecosystem, changing lives around the world and generating billions of pounds for the UK economy. But how inclusive is that innovative effort? Who is participating, and what impact does it have on the social, economic and environmental challenges faced by the city?
These issues are particularly significant for a city like Cambridge, renowned for its world-class research and innovation, but which is also recognised as the most unequal city in the UK, where life expectancy in the most deprived ward is eleven years lower than in the least deprived.
These strengths and challenges were highlighted in the State of the City report and dashboard produced by Cambridge City Council in 2023.
Building on the report published in 2024 by Prof Diane Coyle and Burcu Sevde Selvi on Making Innovation More Inclusive, Andrew Limb, Assistant Chief Executive of Cambridge City Council is working with the Bennett Institute to examine what inclusive innovation looks like in Cambridge.
He will gain a deeper understanding of the current landscape—identifying what is driving success and what may be hindering progress. What barriers exist to different people joining the innovation ecosystem? What factors enable or constrain innovation that seeks to impact positive change on society and the environment? Which of the enabling factors are most impactful, or are most noticeably absent, in Cambridge?
In the coming months, Andrew will engage with a diverse range of stakeholders within the Cambridge innovation ecosystem to explore the various perspectives and ideas people have regarding innovation in the region.
Drawing on case studies put forward by stakeholders, Andrew will gather their ideas and suggestions on what interventions might further enable, unlock or amplify inclusive innovation. He’ll also suggest which might be most scalable and replicable in other cities and contexts. This research aims to complement the work of the Innovate Cambridge partnership and its ambitious strategy for the Cambridge innovation ecosystem.
To contribute to the research, such as providing data, insights or case studies of successful inclusive innovation, please email: office@bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the Bennett Institute for Public Policy.
