Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø

Celebrating doctoral success

The Institute celebrated a strong year of doctoral completions, with successful PhD defences by Wanyu Zhang, Taeje Park, Seung-hyun Lee, Sebastian Arriagada Mujica, Yiwen Sun, An Yu Chen, Adam McCarthy, Matt Ziembla, Noora Al-Muhannadi, Milad Aghazadeh, Gianncarlo Duran and Jhenelle McIntyre. These milestones represent an important contribution to the global research community in science, technology and innovation studies.

Major funding wins and support for emerging research

In 2025, MIOIR secured substantial new research funding, including participation in the €2 million Horizon Europe  on climate-neutral cities, a UKRI grant on research security, and Liangping Ding’s prestigious AI Metascience Fellowship.

The Institute also awarded six MIOIR Small Grants, supporting projects spanning science diplomacy, international collaboration and digital transformation in SMEs. These initiatives are already strengthening MIOIR’s research base and supporting the development of future external funding bids. 

A vibrant programme of events and professional development

MIOIR delivered a rich and varied programme of academic and policy-focused events throughout the year. Highlights included the Fred Jevons Lecture delivered by John Krige, Vital Topics lectures by Dan Breznitz and Kevin Morgan, the IPEC Research Symposium on innovation procurement, the Amazônia+10 workshop on sustainable value chains, and a science diplomacy event co-organised with the Embassy of Spain.

Additional activities included the RSA 60th Anniversary Workshop on inclusive innovation, workshops on security and defence, and MIOIR’s flagship professional development course on Evaluation of Science and Innovation Policies, which welcomed 20 participants from 11 countries.

The Institute’s research seminar series featured leading international scholars, with contributions from Hanna Hottenrott, Riccardo Crescenzi, Martin Henning, Simone Vannuccini, Valentina Tartari, Meric Gertler, Markus Simeth and Frank Neffke.

Growing the MIOIR community

During the year, MIOIR welcomed new colleagues Sönke Mestwerdt, Alice Naisbitt, Alina Spanuth, An Yu Chen, Matt Ziembla, Adam McCarthy and Nathan Critch, as well as new associate members Chelsea Sawyer and Julia Schoonover. The Institute also hosted a large number of international research visitors from across Europe and beyond.

Strengthening international partnerships

MIOIR continued to expand its global collaborations. Its partnership with Georgia Tech thrived through AI & Policy Group seminars and doctoral exchanges, while MIOIR’s doctoral researchers organised the Trilateral MIOIR–Georgia Tech–Johannesburg Doctoral Workshop, bringing together 34 participants across three continents.

Several PhD students and early career researchers benefited from Eu-SPRI circulation awards, research visits to Georgia Tech and internships at the OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation. In addition, MIOIR signed a new memorandum of understanding with the University of Johannesburg, and the University of Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø formalised a strategic partnership with the University of Chile, opening up new opportunities for collaboration.

Publications, policy influence and research impact

The year saw a strong portfolio of publications in top journals, as well as edited volumes such as  (co-edited by Jakob Edler) and , with chapters by Kieron Flanagan and Raquel Ortega-Argilés.

MIOIR researchers also delivered high-level reports for the Innovation and Research Caucus, the UK Government’s FCDO/DSIT Science & Technology Network, and the Finnish Government, among others. Evidence produced by MIOIR scholars was reflected in policy documents, including the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy review and the OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2025.

Recognition of research excellence

MIOIR’s research excellence continued to receive international recognition. Frank Geels was named a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher for the seventh consecutive year and ranked 92nd in the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists list. Several other MIOIR colleagues — Philip McCann, Bruce Tether, Elvira Uyarra, Gerard Hodgkinson, Ian Miles, Jakob Edler and Karl Taeuscher — were also featured in the Stanford/Elsevier rankings.

The Institute was further represented at the AMBS Staff Awards 2025, with Aarti Krishnan named Innovator of the Year, Marianna Rolbina highly commended, and Chloe Best commended for Professional Services Colleague of the Year.

Looking ahead to 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, we have much to anticipate, including the 10th anniversary of our STIP PhD programme, a memorial workshop honouring Stan Metcalfe's contributions to our field, and Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø hosting the  in June.

MIOIR remains committed to delivering leading research that makes a difference, in line with the University of Ò°ÀÇÉçÇø’s M2035 strategy.

Thank You

Thank you to our researchers, colleagues, partners and collaborators who made 2025 a remarkable year for MIOIR.