About Us

The Australian Centre for Innovation was established in 1992, in the form of Australian Centre for Innovation and International Competitiveness (ACIIC Ltd) as an independent non-profit company. Its articles of association included contributing to the objectives of the University of Sydney and the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering. The special standing of the Centre was recognised by the signing of a Deed of Agreement with the Faculty of Engineering.

The future of Australia's economic success depends in large part upon the development of effective strategies and policies for science, technology and innovation in both the public and private sectors. The most productive and fastest growing economies are developing innovative capabilities as core corporate and public-sector strategies. If they do not, it is unlikely that they will be able to maintain their existing levels of long-term economic growth in the face of new and dynamic competitors. Whether its impact is considered at the level of the nation or region, particular industry or individual company, technological innovation and its effective management is a matter of critical importance.

The principals of the Australian Centre for Innovation have been active in this field for almost thirty years addressing a broad range of issues, including priority setting for research, research evaluation, R&D management, technology strategy, technology assessment, science and technology indicators, intellectual property management, technology transfer, impacts of technological change on employment, technology and regional development, and the economics of innovation.

More recently, the objectives and operations of the Centre have moved with the changing times, in order to maintain and focus on current and future pressing issues. This has seen the Australian Centre for Innovation pioneer the development and application of foresight in Australia, and around the world, with the objective of injecting a stronger future orientation into strategic planning. It has also been deeply involved in developing a better understanding of the changing nature of the global knowledge economy and the means to prosper within it. At the same time, the Centre has continued its research and consulting in the areas of innovation, research and technology policy.