Swimming Against the Tide: The role for social sciences and humanities in contributing to a more inclusive approach to innovation in post-industrial cities

Kempton, L; Marlow, D; Deitrick, D; Glass, M; Travis, R

doi:10.4337/9781035331864.00019

Swimming Against the Tide: The role for social sciences and humanities in contributing to a more inclusive approach to innovation in post-industrial cities

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Louise Kempton ORCiD, Professor David Marlow

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).

Abstract

Universities play a crucial role in local innovation, particularly in areas recovering from deindustrialisation and economic crises. However, innovation investments often overlook the needs of local businesses and communities. Innovation Districts (IDs) typically prioritize STEM research, neglecting the contributions of Social Science and Humanities (SSH). Research in Newcastle and Pittsburgh, conducted as part of a project called Improving Inclusive Innovation Outcomes (i³o), suggests a more inclusive approach to innovation investment is needed, involving SSH disciplines. This chapter provides guidance for universities, policymakers, and practitioners to design IDs that prioritise inclusion and positive outcomes for communities.