About the conference

Europe faces a rapidly changing security and innovation landscape in which geopolitical tensions, hybrid threats, and systemic crises challenge the principles of science, technology, and innovation (STI) policy, which have historically relied on openness.

Organised in collaboration between University of Vaasa, VTT and Eu-SPRI, the Transformative Innovation in Times of Tensions conference explores the conceptual and empirical foundations of preparedness and resilience in a rapidly evolving STI policy domain.

The conference critically examines tensions as both threats and opportunities, drawing on strong Nordic expertise in preparedness, resilience, and comprehensive security. Key themes include strategic autonomy and competition, technological sovereignty, dual-use technologies, energy resilience, and the rapidly growing space economy – critical intersections of innovation and security policy. At the same time, security imperatives often conflict with sustainability goals, raising questions about how to maintain transparency, inclusion, and public trust in times of tension.

As a result, the conference focuses on governance models that uphold democratic principles while addressing securitisation and strategic competitiveness. Importantly, it adopts a whole-of-society perspective, recognising that transformative innovation requires civic engagement, social legitimacy, and collaborative approaches that extend beyond government and industry to include citizens, communities, and civil society actors. Social innovation, through participatory foresight, co-creation, and inclusive governance, emerges as a vital component for resilience and trust in STI policy.

Overall, the conference aims to foster cutting-edge research and novel linkages between STI policy and security research, promoting interdisciplinary dialogue and actionable insights for navigating polycrises and shaping transformative innovation pathways in times of tension.