multi-technology innovation

The main theme of my doctoral research project is 'multi-technology challenges'. These concern issues where socio-economic problems are intended to be solved by technologies, which are in themselves complex compilations of multiple sub-systems. Examples include smart energy, autonomous vehicles, or smart agri-tech. Because such innovations involve multiple stakeholders in large networks and aim at improving life for society, these become political issues as well. Hence, I investigate how policy can coordinate the development and innovation of such multi-tech solutions, making them more efficient and environmentally friendly, accelerating their development, and ultimately, making them more socially beneficial. This work, hence, combines insights from innovation studies, public administration, and political economy.

sustainability transitions

Enhancing economic prosperity often stands in direct contradiction to promoting environmental sustainability. Coalescing both goals requires a trade-off and a new way of thinking. Investigating how a transition towards sustainability can be achieved in a way that does not vitiate economic prosperity is the goal of this project, which feeds into some of my other research projects. A 'transition' implies a large scale transformation across the economy, with new business models, but also innovative technologies. Both rely on incentive structures and policies that regard this large sustainability transition as a long-term and holistic 'mission'.

autonomous vehicles

A main part of my doctoral research project focuses on analysing the development and innovation of connected autonomous vehicles (CAV). Since CAVs comprise the car technology itself, sensors and infrastructure, but also the aspect of connectivity and communication (with other cars, infrastructure, and other obstacles), this is an ideal example of a multi-technology challenge. I investigate how policy can coordinate the innovation network of autonomous vehicles, including stakeholders that might have different interests, to make the process more efficient, faster, and more beneficial to society. I use a mixed method triangulation approach and provide an in-depth analysis of two cases in Sweden and Singapore.

innovation complexity

Innovation is a highly complex phenomenon - complex because it includes many different component parts, such as actors and institutions, with different priorities, that all independently of each other evolve over time. Understanding the structure and the interdependencies of this network is the goal of this project. This is important because before we change such a network, we have to grasp the underlying complexity of it, ensuring that policies only have their intended effect. 

aviation transition

The transport sector, in general, and the aviation industry, in particular, are one of the main sources of green house gas emissions responsible for global climate change. In this project, we investigate to what extent a transition to sustainability of the aviation sector is possible, which avenues - technologically and politically - should be pursued, and why the transition scholarship should pay attention to it. I conduct this project jointly with Antoine Habersetzer (Bauhaus Luftfahrt) and Carsten Schwäbe (FU Berlin).

industrial strategy

Industrial strategies define the direction into which economies develop - not just their policies, but also technologies and behaviour. This project takes a comparative approach to analyse the industrial strategies of several advanced economies - among others the UK and Germany - to investigate to what extent their policies are environmentally and econmically sustainable, mission-oriented, cross-sectoral, and, therefore, long-term value creating. This project is based on a consulting project for the UK Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng).

featured researcher at ucl digital policy lab

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Recently, I have been featured at UCL STEaPP's Digital Technologies and Policy Lab, where I speak about my research and future projects.

founding host for video podcast 'steapp chat'

Our new video-podcast series features collegues from UCL and highlights their research, policy engagement, or consultancy projects across the entire spectrum of digital policy, infrastrucutre, sustainbility, science advice, and more. Check out our Youtube channel!

book recommendation may 2020:

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the black swan

Nassim Nicholas Taleb (2010)

New York, US: Random House

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In times of a global pandemic, reading about the "impact of the highly improbable" is eye opening and makes you wonder about the world on a whole different level ...

University College London

Dept of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Public Policy

Shropshire House

11-20 Capper Street

London, WC1E 6JA

United Kingdom

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020 3108 6490

andreas.kopp.16 [at] ucl.ac.uk

@AndyPKopp

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