Speaker: Shyama V. Ramani
Abstract:
This lecture will explore why it makes economic sense to invest in research and development that specifically targets low income groups, with the greatest unmet needs. Drawing upon her post-Tsunami initiatives in promoting sanitation and her previous work on the Indian economy, in particular the health sector, Dr. Ramani will explore the complementary role of firms, non-governmental organizations and the State in promoting innovation for development, highlighting some successes that can be adapted in other developing country contexts.
The lecture will be followed by open debate, with contributions by:
Prof. Richard Nelson, Earth Institute at Columbia University, USA
Dr. Shulin Gu, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
Dr. Suma Athreye, Brunel Business School, UK
Prof. Ana Castro, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Prof. Luc Soete, Director United Nations University-MERIT, Maastricht
About the speaker:
Shyama V. Ramani is Senior Researcher at the National Institute of Agricultural Research in France and a Research Associate of the Ecole Polytechnique, France. She also coordinates a Franco-Indian Reconstruction Project established to help victims of the 2005 Tsunami (www.friend-in-need.org) for which she has been awarded the “Women of the Earth Trophy” for 2008 by the Yves-Rocher Fondation and the Institut de France.
Her research focuses on the relationships between technology, innovation and development, drawing upon the evolution of the biotechnology sectors in India and in Europe as illustrative case studies. Her past work has primarily revolved around work around three themes: the impact of the national system of innovation on the creation of industrial competence; the use of patent and publications statistics as indicators of competitive position and comparative advantage for investment; and the creation of incentives for cooperation and coordination. Her methodology is varied, ranging from contextual analysis and case studies to the use of game theory to study strategic problems related to innovation creation. She is currently studying the role of technology and innovation to attain the millennium development goals, and the corporate social responsibility of firms with respect to innovation.
Dr. Ramani holds a PhD in economics from Cornell University, USA.
Related documents:
|
