Innovating science-industry collaboration

Background

This project aims to build stronger, more effective partnerships between science institutions and private sector actors in the Global South, with the overarching goal of advancing science as a global public good. Recognizing the vital but distinct roles both sectors play—public institutions often initiate research while private companies drive technological innovation—the project seeks to overcome traditional barriers to collaboration. By examining existing public-private partnership (PPP) models and exploring new avenues such as hybrid organizations and intersectoral teaming, the initiative will assess how these partnerships can better deliver on shared scientific goals. These efforts will be grounded in emerging themes like data infrastructure, academic publishing, and new connectivity technologies, all critical areas where the Global South could leapfrog outdated systems and adopt forward-looking, efficient solutions. 

The project also places strong emphasis on community building and knowledge sharing across science, technology, and innovation (STI) ecosystems in the Global South. Through foundational reports, international conference participation, and collaborative writing workshops, actors from these regions will be empowered to engage with emerging technologies and establish meaningful relationships with the private sector. These activities aim not only to position the Global South for scientific advancement but also to shape more equitable, impactful PPPs that recognize and serve science as a public good on a global scale. 

This project is part of Science Systems Futures. 

Activities and impact

May 2025 – October 2026 

• A co-designed public report with academics, technologists, technology developers and policy-makers on the potential impact of three emerging technologies on science systems in the Global South, including of recommendations on good practice for navigating connections between publicly funded science and private sector drivers or creators of such emerging technologies.  

• Preparatory consultations on emerging trends and future development of Global South STI organizations using new technologies (to be undertaken with the assistance of key consultants based in the Global South).  

• Panels and sessions in international and multilateral technology events to advance Global South perspectives on the future of STI systems.  

This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ottawa, Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of IDRC or its Board of Governors.

 Photo by alerkiv on Unsplash