Rethinking Innovation for a Post-growth Society

Innovations are conventionally conceptualised as one of the crucial driving factors fuelling the ‘growth machine’ of capitalism, whereas science and technology are the core of the innovations that facilitate the ‘endless’ economic growth. In the dominant economic paradigm, innovations became imperative for the survival of all forms of organisations—the creative force that brings economic dynamism and greater welfare for the broader common good. However, critical innovation and science, technology and society scholarship have challenged this orthodox position. Drawing from the recent debates within degrowth and science, technology and innovation literature, the panel explores how innovations can be theorised in post-growth societies. In other words, how can innovations be conceptualised by keeping people and the planet at the centre rather than economic growth and profit?