About us

Innogen is the ESRC Centre for Social and Economic Research on Innovation in Genomics. Formed in October 2002, it is part of the ESRC Genomics Network studying the evolution of genomics and life sciences and their far-reaching social and economic implications.

The life sciences have the potential to transform health care and food production systems in developed and developing countries and to provide one of the main platforms of economic growth and global competitiveness in the 21st century. Rapid developments in life sciences also challenge our existing regulatory systems and raise new ethical and social issues. Innogen's research will provide a sound base for decision-making in science, industry, policy and public arenas and will improve our understanding of each of these groups and their interactions.

Innogen is a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh and The Open University, and is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Innogen at Edinburgh is based in The Institute for the Study of Science Technology and Innovation (ISSTI). Innogen at the OU is based in the Development Policy and Practice Department (DPP), and is a member of two research institutes, the key one being the Innovation Knowledge and Development Centre (IKD).The researchers working at Innogen include social scientists, economists, and lawyers. Innogen also engages with a wide range of stakeholders, nationally and internationally, including scientists, industry and private interest groups, policy makers and regulators, and citizens and public interest groups.