[Discussion]: How do we define "innovation" at Turing, and what activities embody this definition?

[dingaaling]

Summary

Innovation is a core component of Turing 2.0 - what does that mean for the Institute?

Detail

• What does innovation look within the RAM and TPS team and Turing as a whole?

Intended Output

• Kickstarting a wider, clarifying conversation within the RAM and TPS teams on what "innovation" at Turing means
• RAM team strategic approach to how we engage with Innovation activities and roles at Turing

Who can help

Anyone interested in discussing the topic and contributing to shaping the strategy!

[dingaaling]

Capturing some fascinating conversations from this week

1. 10 April TPS Delivery team meeting where @AidaMehonic raised the topic of TPS vision for Innovation @ Turing, notes here

• One highlight is something @chrisdburr raised on different forms of innovation:
  • 1. Commercial innovation (e.g. market growth and capture)
  • 2. Public good or social benefit (e.g. environmental sustainability)
  • 3. Cultural and creative expression (e.g. innovation in Arts and Humanities, human-centric design)
  • 4. Methodological enhancement (e.g. improved interpersonal communication or collaboration)
  • 5. Inclusive policy (e.g. economic growth and development that is more equitably distributed)

2. Slack chat I had with @f-rower which included these highlights

• @dingaaling provocation: Innovation is about introducing newness to the world whether it’s a new way of thinking about a problem, a novel method for addressing a challenge, or the creation of new roles, policies, institutions, or forms of impact. The important thing about being an innovator is one’s role in the team, organisation or ecosystem. At the forefront, setting or meeting the trend, including collaborating or facilitating the emergence of the trend. A non innovative organisation is only positioned to respond or critique and thus, vulnerable to falling for the hype cycle. There is something about building something (anything) new, whether it's a process, role, application, artwork, provocation is "innovation"; not just creating the fundamental capability. For example, I feel TTW feels "innovative" in its approaches to "digital community building". The innovation there is the process and way of working that others haven't adopted yet. Entrepreneurship as a practice also feels "innovative" when applied to new domains like health or research because it hasn't really taken ahold there yet like it has in the private sector.
• @f-rower: I would associate innovation mostly with setting the trend. Meeting the trend is a "lower" form of innovation if you like, as you are already operating within an existing framework. I suppose that opens up a question around the "levels" of innovation at which you can operate and which one is appropriate for you/your organisation, such as technological, product, process, service, business model, disruptive, radical, design-driven, social, and responsible innovation as captured in this paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2096248718300249#sec3

[AidaMehonic]

Should Innovation at Turing be different from Innovation at universities?
Should it ultimately be about spinning out companies?
What should be the most important measure of success?