IKD: Innovation, Knowledge and Development
An Inter-Faculty Research Centre
About IKD
The IKD: Innovation, Knowledge and Development research centre explores the dynamics between technology creation and diffusion, business behavior, government and non-governmental actors. A primary focus is on exploring ways that knowledge and innovation can contribute to inclusive and sustainable patterns of development. IKD's strength comes from its diversity and its ability to cross traditional discipline boundaries. This permits research relevant to that primary focus in the following areas for example: Governance and conflict; education; migration and diaspora; health; medical and agricultural biotechnology; innovation and industry dynamics; capabilities and capacity development; public-private partnerships; regulatory frameworks; social justice, complexity and enterprise development and entrepreneurship.
Please refer to our other pages for more details about our members and the exciting IKD research that they are engaged in.
Research groups
IKD is the Open University's vibrant inter-faculty research centre. It brings together research groups from the faculties of Social Sciences, Technology, the OU Business School and Education and Language Studies to pool diverse areas of expertise and to do joint research.
IKD's research focuses on five major interlocking themes: Health, Innovation and Equity, Rising Asia, Finance, Innovation and Equity, Bio-energy and 'green-tech', and Human Capabilities.
Development Policy and Practice (DPP)
DPP is the main centre in The Open University for teaching and research in International Development. DPP promotes critical debate and analysis of international development through: Open learning for social change; Research that shapes policy and practice; Collaboration and partnership for mutual benefit.
International Development Office (IDO)
The Open University has been committed to International Development for over twenty years. We are globally recognised for our teaching and pioneering research within the sector, and for driving innovation.
The International Development Office (IDO) helps deliver development programmes in partnership with governments, NGOs, funding institutions and local partners. Our programmes across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia address areas such as frontline health, teacher education and English language teaching.
We work where there is the greatest need: where our expertise can impact the many, rather than the few, and where our work helps create sustainable social and economic development.
Institute for Innovation Generation in the Life Sciences (Innogen)
The Innogen Institute is renowned for world-leading research with global impact on the social and economic aspects of the life sciences and emerging technologies. In areas such as food and energy security, global health and development and innovation systems, Innogen offers in-depth rigorous research and impartial, evidence based advice to public and private stakeholders.
Innogen focuses on innovation arising from life science research and technological development, how research and technologies are regulated and governed, and how technological and social innovation interact.
As a dynamic collaboration between the University of Edinburgh and the Open University, Innogen produces high quality research outputs used in decision making, on-going debates and academic agendas on life science issues. Innogen is engaged in projects with over 40 institutions across 30 countries, and its research has influenced decision makers in industry, government and public bodies in the UK, EU and internationally.
Get in touch
If you would like to discuss your research or potential projects with someone from IKD, please feel free to approach us.