Professor Johannes Glückler, Chair of Economic Geographies of the Future at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich), will explore how innovation becomes controversial and the role that place plays in shaping which ideas succeed, fail or face resistance.
Innovation is often seen as a force for progress, yet its benefits and consequences are frequently contested. This seminar introduces the concept of controversial innovation, moving beyond a single "dark side" of innovation to examine how innovations can generate unintended harms, fail to deliver expected benefits, overlook alternative possibilities, or leave positive opportunities unrealised.
Drawing on economic geography, the talk explores how debates surrounding innovation shape its development and outcomes. It argues that innovation and controversy evolve together: technological advances can reshape public debate, while arguments and disagreements can redirect innovation trajectories.
The seminar also introduces the concept of Spatial Pockets of Innovation; places where peripheral positions provide the freedom and institutional flexibility to explore, test and legitimise ideas that may be contested elsewhere. The framework offers new insights into how geography influences innovation and its contribution to social well-being.
About Johannes Glückler
Professor Johannes Glückler holds the chair for Economic Geographies of the Future and heads the Economic Geography Group at LMU Munich. His research focuses on the geography of knowledge, including the networks, institutions and governance of innovation processes within and across regions and organizations. He is co-author of several books, including “the relational economy” (OUP) to promote a relational perspective of economic geography. He is an elected member of Academia Europaea and editor of the Springer book series "Knowledge & Space". Before joining LMU in 2023, he held the Chair of Economic and Social Geography at Heidelberg University.
Seminar Details:
The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research runs a series of regular seminars given by visiting speakers to Manchester. These seminars are open to anybody who is interested in science, technology and innovation policy and management.
Refreshments will be available for networking from 3:15 pm, before the seminar.
We encourage AMBS and UoM staff and students to join us in person. An online option will be available via Microsoft Teams Online.
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/324880863283749?p=xzZaEKQ8dR9D4VoTP1
Meeting ID: 324 880 863 283 749
Passcode: 7MJ3iJ2F
