Stories of innovation typically involve creative individual solving a well described problem single handedly, like Humphry Davy inventing the safety lamp at the Ri to prevent lethal methane explosions in mines. But when you look at these stories in more detail, they turn out to be more nuanced; involving multiple contributors, surprising unforeseen outcomes and a continuous process of social tinkering. Join Martin Reeves as he reveals this messier view of innovation, following research dealing with both scientific discovery and the rise of social media technologies.

Martin will introduce us to a mathematical signature of serendipity being decoded in the Ri by the London Institute of Mathematical Sciences, in light of recent research revealing that the majority of scientific papers contain significant discoveries which were not foreseen in their original grant proposals. Martin will walk us through this messier view of innovation and its consequences for scientists, managers and regulators.

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