Science Policy Research Unit
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| Established | 1966 |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Founder | Christopher Freeman |
| Location |
Jubilee Building, Falmer campus Brighton UK |
| Staff | 50 |
| Publication | Research Policy |
| Focus | Policy, Management |
| Former Name | Science Policy Research Unit |
| Functions | Research, Teaching, Consultancy |
| Website | SPRU |
Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) is a research centre based at University of Sussex in Falmer, near Brighton, UK. It focuses on long term transformative change, science policy and innovation across different sectors, societies and structures. It was one of the first interdisciplinary research centres in the field of science and technology policy and at the forefront of the development of innovation as an academic discipline. Alongside internationally renowned research, SPRU also offers a range of MSc courses, as well as PhD research degrees.
SPRU’s research today addresses pressing global policy agendas, including the future of industrial policy, inclusive economic growth; the politics of scientific expertise, energy policy, security issues, entrepreneurship, and pathways to a more sustainable future. It aims to tackle real-world questions whilst also contributing to theoretical knowledge on innovation. In 2014, SPRU ranked 8th in the list of top science and technology think tanks, which was put together by the University of Pennsylvania.
SPRU has 50 plus faculty members and more than 150 MSc and doctoral students. With an extensive global alumni network among senior science and technology policy makers, SPRU is committed to engagement and generating impact at all stages of research. Members of SPRU work closely with government and parliament, think tanks, media, business and the third sector, and are experienced in disseminating and applying their latest research findings.
SPRU is also home to a number of specialist research centres including:
The Science Policy Research Unit is located within the School of Business, Management and Economics at the University of Sussex in Brighton, UK. SPRU’s current Director is , formerly Professor of History of Technology at the Eindhoven University of Technology. He took over from Professor Gordon Mackerron in January 2014, and launched a new strategy in October 2014 with a focus on long-term transformative change (see article in The Guardian from October 24, 2014)
SPRU was founded in 1966 by Professor Christopher Freeman, a pioneer of what is known as innovation studies today. Professor Freeman ‘embraced an ‘economics of hope’ which embodied a positive view of our potential to direct innovation, creativity and new technologies towards more sustainable and inclusive futures’.
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