Innovation and change can benefit nation states, propel emerging economies and trickle down to the less developed nations, but both can also leave many people behind, widen levels of disparity and division between stakeholder beneficiaries and those without a stake and add further threat to the security of already vulnerable people. Disruptive technology does all this even more quickly.
More than ever, the wellbeing of people worldwide depends on our sharing of space, resources, and understanding, in particular in complex contexts. Natural and man-made disasters, violent conflicts and terrorism, risks to health as well as economic and financial downturn challenge the academy, policy-makers, communities and families alike, to become more organised in their understanding of issues that ensure sustainable, healthy and ultimately secure lives.
About the speaker
Mike Hardy is the Executive Director of the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University. Professor Hardy is an applied economist by training and was Head of Economics and Public Policy at Leeds Metropolitan University before moving to a Chair in International Business at the University of Central Lancashire. His policy and research work in economics focused on local jobs plans and skills for development in local labour markets. One aspect of Professor Hardy’s current work is looking at the relationship between ‘place-based’ innovation, change and/or development and the security of individuals (well-being, social cohesion and social mobility). He is interested in the potential of inclusive innovation and a new agenda for the insecurity of individuals created by ‘inwardness’ (a resistance to opening and accepting external influence on the development on socio-economics structures and processes) and ‘exclusiveness’ (a failure to develop responsible, accountable and participatory approaches to the promotion of economic growth and change, and an over-dependency on the agency of national governments and international organisations).
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