The State of Uncertainty - Innovation Policy Through Experimentation - NESTA

An interesting new paper in the Provocation Series from NESTA UK entitled "The State of Uncertainty - Innovation Policy Through Experimentation" explores the notion of innovation policy and concludes rather naively in my view "the basic problem that constrains innovation, and the main resource that propels it, is uncertainty and its resolution. This should be the focus of innovation policy. Our proposal suggests both a more powerful strategy and potentially also a more cost effective one than the traditional approach. But it will require that innovation policy be introduced, and applied, in a scientific (learning-focused) rather than political (influence-based) frame of mind."

Two problems with this conclusion.

First, state or nation developed innovation policies and their supporting frames of mind are nothing more than frameworks in and of themselves. Indeed, all political policy is driven by claims of innovation - reform for change is the mantra! And of course, the media is always keen to confirm how an innovative national or state policy will be costed and delivered -dangerous stuff and a difficult spin if it is only an experiment!!

Secondly scientific learning is based on constructing a hypothesis that requires positive proof before it can be accepted as being at best, reliable. In other words, scientific learning is requires time and discussion, something Western style democracy and its supporting infrastructure, the 24 Hour media spin cycle doesn't have.

The current Australian Government's policy experience around the Pink Batt Insulation Scheme is a very good example of what happens when an experiment in scientific learning becomes innovation policy, implemented quickly to gain political points.

Download and read the NESTA Paper in full.