Innovation spaces: lessons from the United Nations

Louise Bloom, Romily Faulkner

This paper explores the notion of ‘innovation spaces’ within the UN system, as physical and virtual laboratories for innovation. Using empirical research in a range of innovation labs the authors explore four key questions: what form UN innovation labs have taken, what has motivated their creation, what their aims and objectives are, and what impact they are having. The answers to these questions promote reflection on the future of innovation spaces, particularly an analysis of whether a model of ‘siloed’ innovation spaces will survive in the humanitarian system. The paper demonstrates the important role that innovation labs play in the UN system, as well as grappling with the challenges they face.

Type

Journal article

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Publication Date

17/02/2016

Volume

DOI: 10.1080/01436597.2015.1135730

Total pages

17

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