Large OU Presence at 13th Globelics International Conference

300 researchers from more than 40 countries attended the 13^th Globelics International Conference to share findings on innovation, economic development and social inclusion in developing countries. There was a large OU contingent and the theme, Innovation to Reduce Poverty and Inequalities for Inclusive and Sustainable Development, was ideally suited to IKD members' world-class research into the interconnections between industrial innovation and health.

The conference, held in Havana, was jointly organised by the Cuban government and the scientific network Globelics, which focuses on innovation and knowledge-building systems for socio-economic development. There was a strong emphasis on challenges and opportunities within the health sector, with outstanding inputs from Cuban scientists and health specialists. IKD members Dinar Kale, Andrew Watkins, Theo Papaioannou and Julius Mugwagwa also presented their paper Why Industry Associations Matter in Development of Healthcare Industries in Emerging Countries? Evidence from Indian Biotechnology and Medical Device Industries.

At a special session to inform the next Globelics Thematic Review (GTR) on Health Systems Strengthening: Lessons from Innovation Studies IKD director Maureen Mackintosh presented Manufacturing Pharmaceuticals in Africa: Innovation and Health System Strengthening. All the panellists, including IKD Visiting Professor Smita Srinivas, spoke to the GTR draft findings and provocations, and their presentations and the resulting Q&A session will be used to complete the final document ready for publication in early 2016.

Other IKD members who took part include Rebecca Hanlin (who will co-draft the 2015 theme report, Health Systems Strengthening: Innovation Studies Perspectives), Raphie Kaplinsky and Jo Chataway. David Wield, who presented his paper Biotechnology, Bioeconomy and the Global Economy at a special session on biotechnology in Cuba commented:

It was a great privilege to present alongside the founders of the huge Cuban health biotechnology sector, which is perhaps the one in which fundamental research is most effectively integrated with public health objectives and global health needs.

Read more about the Globelics Conference, including the full programme.