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Transformative Innovation in Times of Tensions Conference
14-16 April 2027 | Vaasa, Finland | Eu-SPRI Thematic Conference
An aerial image of the University of Vaasa campus in Vaasa during summer.
Photo of the entrance of the main building Tervahovi of the University of Vaasa.

Call for Tracks

Call for Tracks and Special Sessions: Transformative Innovation in Times of Tensions

The University of Vaasa is pleased to host the Eu-SPRI Thematic Conference on Transformative Innovation in Times of Tensions.

The conference seeks to advance interdisciplinary scholarly debate on how science, tec nology and innovation (STI) policy is being reshaped by growing geopolitical tensions, security concerns, systemic crises and sustainability challenges. Across Europe and beyond, assumptions that have long underpinned innovation policy, such as openness and international collaboration are increasingly challenged by concerns related to strategic autonomy, resilience, technological sovereignty and national security.

At the same time, STI policy continues to be expected to contribute to transformative societal change addressing climate change, sustainability transitions and broader societal challenges. These developments raise fundamental questions about how innovation systems, policy frameworks and governance arrangements evolve when security concerns become increasingly prominent. How can transformative innovation be pursued in contexts characterised by uncertainty, contestation and competing priorities? What new tensions emerge between security, sustainability and innovation objectives? How are innovation ecosystems, institutions and actors adapting to these changes?

The conference will explore the conceptual foundations, governance implications and practical manifestations of transformative innovation within the innovation-security-sustainability nexus. Rather than treating tensions as barriers, we encourage participants to examine them as analytical entry points for understanding emerging policy paradigms, institutional transformations and new opportunities for experimentation, learning and societal renewal.

To facilitate focused discussion, we invite proposals for tracks and special sessions that contribute to advancing SPRI research agenda on innovation, security and sustainability.

Illustrative Track Themes

We welcome proposals addressing, but not limited to, the following themes: 
 

  • Transformative innovation in the security turn 
  • Rethinking the foundations of STI policy in times of tensions 
  • Defence, dual-use and military innovation systems
  • Interdependencies across innovation, security and sustainability
  • Artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and societal resilience 
  • Participation, legitimacy and whole-of-society resilience in times of tension 
  • Place-based transformations in the innovation-security-sustainability nexus 
  • Strategic autonomy, technology sovereignty and economic security 
  • Research security, openness and international collaboration 
  • Mission-oriented and transformative innovation policies under geopolitical uncertainty 
  • Energy security, critical infrastructures and sustainable transitions 
  • Innovation for preparedness, resilience and crisis response 
  • Governance, democracy and public value in securitised innovation environments
  • Social innovation, civic participation and trust-building for resilience 
  • Innovation, security and sustainability in Nordic, Arctic and other regional contexts

We particularly encourage track proposals that bring together perspectives from different fields such as STI studies, innovation policy, sustainability transitions, security studies, governance research, public policy, regional development, economics, sociology, and management studies.

Track and Special Session Proposals

Track proposals should aim to create a coherent forum for scholarly discussion around a specific theme relevant to the conference topic.

Proposals should include:

  • Title of the track/session 
  • Names, affiliations and contact information of organisers 
  • A short description of the theme and its relevance to the conference (approximately 300-500 words), including key references and indicative topics or research question
  • Brief information about the intended format

Important Dates

Deadline for track and special session proposals: 30 September 2026.

Submission

Please submit proposals by email to eusprivaasa2027@uwasa.fi with the subject line: "Track Proposal / Eu-SPRI Thematic Conference"

We look forward to welcoming researchers, policymakers and practitioners from diverse disciplines and backgrounds to Vaasa for this timely and important conversation!