Conclusions: Process, Means and Impact

Science is a societal activity. Scientific research produces knowledge and knowledge is the core currency of innovation. Innovation makes a significant contribution to national economies, the health and wellbeing of societies and has the potential to reduce current and future uncertainties of climate change, food insecurity, pandemics and poverty. That innovation is achieved both efficiently and effectively, and sustained in ways that maximise value and impact, decrease volatility of economies, and ensure sustainability and resilience of society, while preventing catastrophe, really is—in everyone’s best interests. The key issues, concerns, arguments and conclusions that have been explored and addressed in the book are briefly summarised in this last chapter, the overall findings suggest that through a general lack of understanding about the true nature of invention and innovation, innovation has become a bi-product of inefficient systems, structures, processes and measures all established to address different, only partially related purposes and therefore are generally not-fit-for-purpose.