Research council proposes radical R&D overhaul

The Research Council of Norway has published a report on the country’s innovation system, calling for a root and branch refit of the nation’s approach to R&D.

Anne Kjersti Fahlvik, director of innovation at the council, said the report shows how Norway is on the threshold of a new form of research and innovation policy—what it calls the third generation. Instead of focusing merely on businesses and new technology, future innovation must help solve the major societal challenges Norway faces, the report found.

“We need a wider set of actors, to be more strategic, more forward-looking and more coordinated and to see research and innovation policy in the context of other policy areas,” Fahlvik said.