Introduction

In an uncertain world, with uncertain futures beset by so many challenges that each appears beyond the ability of any single individual to resolve, humanity collectively turns for redress to its enduring capacity for innovation. It is innovation that provides both the hope and the prospect of solutions to those metaphorical monsters of the deep-unknown, of those all-pervasive concerns that figure in global media coverage day-after-day, month-after-month, year-after-year—of climate change, food insecurity, pandemics, poverty and war! The role and importance of scientific innovation then is considered, and how as a process it engages a range of people, professions, disciplines as well as institutions. This chapter questions and challenges the extent, significance and adequacy of our current approaches and our ability in-practice to deliver innovative outputs that relate to real-world needs.