Society and Innovation

This section focuses on providing strategic advice on innovation policy issues and their implementation, as well as preparing actionable information. One of its main tasks is to identify, analyse, observe, and evaluate trends, topics, and developments in the areas of research, development, and innovation, as well as to develop concepts and strategic decision-making bases. This is evident, for example, in the further development of funding measures and innovation strategies.

In addition, we evaluate the intended and unintended effects of innovation policy measures at the micro and macro levels in the interests of evidence-based innovation policy and draw conclusions about their effectiveness and efficiency.
We develop responses to the challenge of increasing complexity in processes and actors in the innovation policy environment, provide guidance on new evaluation methods, and apply them.

Head: Dr. Leo Wangler

Digitalisation and the possibilities offered by the Internet are profoundly and sustainably changing society and the economy. In this group, we take an analytical and conceptual approach to the contexts of these developments and examine the effects of the increasing diffusion of digital products, processes, and services, as well as the possibilities for creative influence. Taking an interdisciplinary view of digitalisation, we examine the inhibiting and promoting conditions, the interaction in the dynamics of trends in research, technology, the economy, and society, and communicate with affected groups and stakeholders. We see ourselves as a service provider for the analysis, promotion, and scientific support of innovations induced by digital technologies and the associated discourses and transformation processes in all areas of life and work. This explicitly includes the non-technical implications of digital change, such as changes in attitudes, trust and acceptance, communication, cultures, and structures, as well as questions of power shifts.

Head: Dr. Carolin Thiem

Shaping an economically, ecologically, and technically sustainable digital future is one of the greatest challenges currently facing Germany. One of the core objectives of the Artificial Intelligence and Future Technologies section is to contribute to this shaping process within the framework of innovation policy measures. This is achieved through highly interdisciplinary collaboration within the group, with expert knowledge of the state of the art, research, and economic feasibility. The focus is on data- and AI-based technologies along the entire value chain in ecosystems that arise with digital products, processes, and services.

In this context, we support technology programmes and work together on legal, technical, regulatory, and exploitation-oriented cross-cutting issues. We ensure effective knowledge transfer to specialist communities and the general public. We connect our customers and clients with key players and organise efficient exchange at all levels. We prepare potential and technology analyses, market studies, guidelines, concept papers, and benchmarking studies to provide important impetus for politics, business, research, and society.

Head: Dr. Steffen Wischmann

Systemic challenges in particular call for a broader understanding of innovation that takes equal account of technological and social innovations and considers changing innovation processes, actors, and target groups. With a special focus on social innovations, we address key issues relating to transfer from and into society, as well as changing transfer pathways into application and exploitation. We observe and analyse new instruments, methods, and speeds of transfer in order to advise and support state and federal ministries in the development of transfer measures for technological and social innovations in research, business, and society within the framework of open-ended measures.

In addition to targeted observation, we analyse obstacles and opportunities for new cooperation models and social practices. We develop innovative, agile funding and communication formats as well as strategies that can also be transferred to other actors, areas, or industries – in the spirit of an open innovation culture.

Head: Miriam Kreibich

With a strong focus on practical application and a powerful mix of technical, methodological, and thematic expertise, the group’s perspective ranges from the core of an innovation’s commercialisation – the business model – to issues of start-up support and the design of innovation ecosystems (exchange networks of start-ups, innovative companies, scientific institutions, and other actors) to the market, competitive, and political constraints of innovative companies.

As part of accompanying research and start-up competitions, we train and support R&D project managers and founders in business model development and impart relevant knowledge throughout the entire start-up process. On behalf of federal and state ministries, we analyse and advise on issues relating to new funding instruments, regulatory frameworks, and the (further) development of start-up and innovation ecosystems. We also implement funding programmes for spin-offs from academia and start-ups. In addition, we share our methodological expertise and continuously develop new tools and methods, particularly for business model development.

Head: Guido Zinke