Manchester Institute of Innovation Research

03 Jul 2024

Charting Paths in Global Innovation: Insights from GeoInno 2024

The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIoIR) welcomed almost 500 delegates from 33 countries to Manchester for the prestigious Geography of Innovation (GeoInno) conference early in 2024. The seventh edition of the conference, which is held every two years, brought together leading scholars from a variety of disciplines ranging from economic geography and regional science, to economics and management science, sociology and network theory, and political and planning sciences.

The Director of MIoIR, Professor Elvira Uyarra from AMBS, notes: “We were thrilled to host the conference and delighted by such an incredible turnout and global representation. The diversity of attendees and range of topics covered in the parallel sessions is a testament to the ever-growing academic community in the geography of innovation field.

“As a University-wide research Institute the mission of MIoIR is to carry out impactful research tackling key challenges like sustainability, health, productivity, and inequality, and we were especially delighted to host the conference at the beginning of The University of Manchester’s Bicentenary Celebrations. Innovation and enterprise for societal impact – whether driving economic growth or addressing pressing challenges in areas like healthcare and sustainability – have always been key priorities of the University.”

Fellow conference organiser Dr Mabel Sanchez Barrioluengo from AMBS added: “Over three days we heard fascinating and in-depth discussions across diverse themes such as the role of universities in regional development, institutions and economic development, innovation in peripheral regions, and the geography of green innovation, all bringing together both young and senior scholars from different fields in almost 100 parallel sessions.”

The conference, which was supported by funding from the Faculty’s Hallsworth Conference Fund, was opened by Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice Chancellor of The University of Manchester. She added: “This conference is highly relevant to Manchester given that our University has had a long-standing role in innovation in the city and that the theme of innovation is very much at the heart of our strategy. Today Manchester is one of the fastest growing innovation hubs in Europe and one of the youngest and most diverse cities.”