Brazilian science, technology and innovation policy: conceptual context and historical trajectories

Sergio Luiz Monteiro Salles-Filho is Full Professor in the Department of Science and Technology Policy, Institute of Geosciences, at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP). He holds a PhD in Economics. He served as Head of Operational Planning at the Brazilian Innovation Agency (FINEP) and as Coordinator of Impact Evaluation at the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP). He also served as Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and of the Institute of Geosciences, both at UNICAMP. He was visiting scholar at the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (UK) and at the School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology (USA). His research interests include economics of technology and innovation; science, technology and innovation (STI) policy design and evaluation; prospective studies; and STI planning and management.

Carlos Américo Pacheco is Professor at the Institute of Economics and at the Department of Science and Technology Policy, Institute of Geosciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP). He holds a degree in Electronic Engineering from the ITA, a Master and PhD in Economics from UNICAMP, and completed postdoctoral research at Columbia University. He previously served as Executive Secretary of Brazil’s Ministry of Science and Technology and as Chair of the Board of the Brazilian Innovation Agency (FINEP). He has also held senior leadership positions as Deputy Secretary for Economic Development of the State of São Paulo, Rector of ITA, General Director of the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), and President of the Technical-Administrative Council of the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP). His expertise includes industrial economics, and the economics of technology and innovation.

Fernanda De Negri holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and is a senior researcher at the IPEA, Brazil. She has previously served as Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation Office at Brazil’s Ministry of Science and Technology and as an economic advisor at the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade. She was also Deputy Director of Sectoral Studies at IPEA. Her research focuses on international trade, FDI and technological innovation. She has published extensively in these areas and is the author of three books, including an award-winning study on the trade performance of foreign firms in Brazil.

Nicholas Vonortas is Professor of Economics and International Affairs at The George Washington University, where he is Director of the Institute for International Science and Technology Policy (IISTP). He earned his PhD in Economics from New York University. He held a São Paulo Excellence Chair in Technology and Innovation Policy at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP). His research and teaching interests include the economics of technological change, industrial organization, and technology and innovation policy, with emphasis on innovation networks, R&D program evaluation and technology transfer. He has published extensively, including books, journal articles and policy reports, and serves as Editor of Science and Public Policy. He has held visiting appointments at universities across Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Rafael de Brito Dias is Full Professor at the School of Applied Sciences (FCA), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and currently serves as Executive Director for International Relations at UNICAMP. He is affiliated to graduate programs in Science and Technology Policy and in Interdisciplinary Human and Social Sciences at UNICAMP, and is an adjunct member of the Science and Technology Studies graduate program at York University (Canada). He completed postdoctoral research at the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex, and holds a PhD and MSc in Science and Technology Policy from UNICAMP. His research interests include science, technology and innovation policy analysis, social innovation and science diplomacy.