Science and Technology Policy Research (SPRU) is an academic centre at the University of Sussex, Brighton, UK. Founded in 1966, SPRU specialises in science, technology and innovation studies for policy and management. It was called the Science Policy Research Unit, but the name has been changed to reflect expansion of research interests. It is the largest institution for science, technology and innovation (STI) studies in the world. In 2012, SPRU ranked 6th in the list of top thirty science and technology think tanks, which was put together by the University of Pennsylvania.
SPRU's research focuses on gaining an understanding of and developing approaches to the governance of science, technology and innovation that influence academia, policy-making, and management. Researchers' electronic working papers, books and journals demonstrate the interdisciplinary approach historically related to SPRU.
Publications are kept in the Keith Pavitt Library, along with 40,000 other materials on science, technology and innovation studies. SPRU is located in the Freeman Centre, an open architecture building.
According to Research Fortnight, "SPRU alumni have gone on to set up policy research centres and think tanks all over the world and many work in senior positions in governments".
Read more about Science And Technology Policy Research: Teaching, Notable People
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