What are the big strategic questions in relation to ‘Pro-Innovation Regulation’ that the government should be focused on? Do regulatory mandates and remits need to change and if so how, as markets and the economy continue to shift? Is sector-focused regulation struggling to cope with changing markets, and how should it interact with horizontal regulation? Should innovation be made an explicit part of regulators’ remit, without diluting their responsibility for consumer safety? How far should regulation be used to create new markets or shape existing ones?

Background

"Technology Strategy

As the team has a broad remit, there are a range of different areas of evidence needs. These are likely to be areas of ongoing enquiry, as we seek to keep abreast of market and technological developments. We are also interested in the interaction of these issues e.g. with systems approaches.


Evidence challenges
One of the main challenges we have is that SIC codes do not readily permit us to do analysis of technology sectors, so we need to use specialist datasets, bespoke studies or natural language processing to enable us to collect data on the issues.

We work with technology experts to define classifying methods.

How evidence is used
We already have databases on business activity and equity funding in the team, with access to other datasets across the Department on research activity, exports, skills, patents, IP, etc. We are nevertheless always interested in hearing about new data developments in this space.

We also have evidence from commissioned studies, and call for evidence responses.
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Next steps

If you are keen to register your interest in working and connecting with DSIT Science, Innovation, and Research Directorate, and/or submitting evidence, then please complete the DSIT-ARI Evidence survey - https://dsit.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cDfmK2OukVAnirs

Link to ARIs : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology-areas-of-research-interest/dsit-areas-of-research-interest-2024

Related UKRI funded projects

  • Advanced Regulatory Innovation EcoSystem (ARIES)

    The Advanced Regulatory Innovation EcoSystem (ARIES) project will explore the potential for the development of an AI based digital platform to support regulators to collaborate more effectively within their own organisat...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: IDEAONOMY LTD

    Why might this be relevant?

    Partially relevant as it focuses on collaboration within regulators and government policy alignment, but does not directly address the specific strategic questions related to 'Pro-Innovation Regulation'. Authors have expertise in regulatory innovation.

  • Regulation in Crisis

    Regulation has continued to be at the forefront of policy discussions over the past decade. The final decade of the 20th century was largely about exploring regulation as a policy mode that was receiving increased govern...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: London School of Economics and Political Science

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project discusses the challenges and complexities of regulation in relation to innovation, addressing the strategic questions posed in the context.

  • Cross-sector regulatory sandbox

    The cross sector regulatory sandbox is a proposal to create a single point of entry sandbox where firms are able to test innovative propositions, in a controlled environment, overseen by multiple domestic regulatory agen...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project proposes a cross-sector regulatory sandbox to address regulatory issues related to innovation, aligning with the question's focus on regulatory mandates and innovation.

  • Mapping Design Innovation Ecosystems

    Design is increasingly being recognised as a priority for innovation by government. In September 2013, the European Commission launched an 'Action Plan for Design-Driven Innovation'. In 2011, the UK Government stated tha...

    Funded by: AHRC

    Lead research organisation: Cardiff Metropolitan University

    Why might this be relevant?

    Partially relevant as it focuses on design innovation ecosystems, not directly on 'Pro-Innovation Regulation'. Authors have expertise in design innovation.

  • Foundation Industries Ventures (FIVe) S&IN

    The Foundation Industries (FIs) metals, glass, ceramics, cement, chemicals, and paper are vital to the UK manufacturing and construction sectors. Approximately 75% of the materials we see around us have been made by one ...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: GLASS FUTURES LTD

  • UK-China Design Policy Network

    Driven by the growing recognition of the importance of design in national innovation, design policy is an emerging subject of research interest. Design policies are 'sets of rules, activities, and processes to support de...

    Funded by: AHRC

    Lead research organisation: Royal College of Art

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