Knowledge and innovation drive social and economic development, raising living standards for some but often leaving others behind. In education, health, the environment, enterprise development and other areas technological possibilities engage the hopes and ambitions of policymakers. However, translating the possibilities into concrete gains for target populations in industrially developed or developing countries proves enormously challenging.

The Centre for Innovation, Knowledge and Development (IKD) researches 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.

IKD brings together six research groups from the Open University faculties of Social Sciences, Technology and the OU Business School to pool diverse areas of expertise and to do joint research.

For further information please visit the website at www.open.ac.uk/ikd.