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Who are we?

The STI Policy Research Hub recognizes the importance of evidence-based decision-making and the role of research in informing policy development. Through rigorous research and analysis, the Hub aims to identify key challenges and opportunities in various sectors and propose actionable policy recommendations.  

With a focus on science, technology, and innovation, the Hub acknowledges the transformative power of these fields in driving economic growth, social development, and sustainable solutions. By harnessing the potential of STI, the Hub aims to address complex policy issues and contribute to Egypt's and the region’s development agenda. 

The Hub's approach is multidisciplinary, bringing together experts from various fields such as economics, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and policy analysis. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the challenges at hand and facilitates the development of holistic policy solutions.

Through collaboration with government agencies, academia, industry stakeholders, and international partners, the Hub aims to foster a collaborative and inclusive environment for policy dialogue and knowledge sharing. By engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, the HUB seeks to ensure that policy recommendations are contextually relevant, feasible, and aligned with the needs and aspirations of the society being served.

Overall, the STI Policy Research Hub is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the policy landscape by providing evidence-based insights, innovative solutions, and a platform for collaboration.

Modes of Operation

The STI Policy Research Hub will engage in four main types of activities as follows:

Knowledge creation in the context of the STI policy track involves engaging in core research activities that contribute to the academic discipline of STI policy. The Hub members focus on research ideas that are relevant to developing countries and emerging topics in the field. The main objectives of knowledge creation in this track include:

  • Pure Research Projects: The Hub members engage in research projects that aim to generate new knowledge and insights in the field of STI policy. These projects involve conducting in-depth research, analyzing data, and developing innovative approaches to address policy challenges.
  • Publication of Journal Papers and Books: The findings and outcomes of the research projects are disseminated through the publication of journal papers and books. This allows us to share knowledge and insights with the academic community and policymakers.
  • Participation in Academic Conferences: The Hub members actively participate in academic conferences related to STI policy. This provides them with opportunities to present their research findings, engage in discussions with other experts in the field, and receive feedback on their work.

The ultimate goal of knowledge creation in the STI policy track is to contribute to the academic discipline, inform policy decisions, and promote sustainable development in developing countries. By conducting rigorous research, publishing scholarly works, and participating in academic conferences, hub members aim to advance knowledge and understanding in the field of STI policy and drive positive change.

The Hub has a crucial role to play in filling the talent gap in the field of STI policy and research and practice. This is why a core activity of the Hub is conducting capacity-building workshops. Initially, workshops are going to be offered on the following topics:

  • Scientometric Analysis
  • Funding Program Design and Implementation
  • Technology Assessment for IP Protection   

Training workshops will run for three days - 2 sessions per day - and will have a strong hands-on component.

This track will cover all consulting and advisory engagements the hub is involved in. It will operate in rounds, whereby each round will cater to the needs of a large agency that funds or creates policies related to STI activities. Projects are initiated on demand from these agencies like requests to design a new program or evaluate an existing one. In some cases, the STI Research Policy Hub will take the initiative and suggest a specific project to a relevant agency.

The main objective of this track is to contribute to evidence-based decision-making in client organizations and to create excess revenue for the hub to expand its research activities.

This track involves the engagement of the Hub with other entities at NU and international partners in the grant-funded projects they take on. As a research-active university, NU is often asked to carry out many types of projects related to STI. In some cases, these projects will have a policy-related element, which the current expertise at NU cannot cover. The STI Research Policy Hub can participate in these projects as a partner, carrying out studies and providing all policy-related work packages.