Regional growth in the European Union hinges to a large extent on smart specialization, a new and exciting theme in economic innovation studies. Advances in the Theory and Practice of Smart Specialization illuminates problems that have stifled the implementation of smart specialization policies, such as unique regional constraints and the inter-dependent demands of economic growth and commercial development. Forward-looking and pragmatic, it provides guidance for developing smart specialization strategies both to those involved in European affairs and others grappling with regional innovation and economic development worldwide.

• Emphasizes specific contexts for smart specialization, its international approach and institutional preconditions
• Examines comparable initiatives worldwide
• Explains how to implement smart specialization policies given different development levels of regions and countries

Editors: Slavo Radosevic, Adrian Curaj, Radu Gheorghiu, Liviu Andreescu, Imogen Wade

The online consultation Research for Society engaged citizens from 30 countries, together with researchers, stakeholders and policy makers in redefining the European Research and lnnovation agenda to make it more accountable. 3,458 respondents evaluated and enriched, according to their interests and expertise, 48 proposed research programmes

Prospectiva designed and implemented the online consultation platform, with interfaces in 30 languages. The consultation approach is based on the Dynamic Argumentative Delphi (DAD), which Prospectiva has tested in two large-scale foresight exercises.

In light of the online consultation, the top 5 proposed research programmes by average importance, assigned by Europeans in 30 countries are:

1. Top trending: at one with nature
   Develop approaches for promoting “green” living to encourage more people to adopt ecological life-styles.
2. Ecological future education
   Develop training programmes and education on ecology and future-thinking for citizens, policy makers and civil cervants to ensure a healthy planet for future generations.
3. Good food research
   Intensify food inovation and research and increase public knowledge on sustainability, health and nutrition to affect food behaviours in a positive way.
4. Beyond energy efficiency: reduce consumption through structural design and behaviour
   Explore ways to bring about behaviour change and exploit technological innovation and integrated planning to increase energy sufficiency.
5. Quantitative person-centred health
   Explore conditions for innovative, personalised and human-centric services for health promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

• Brief summary (Highlights)
• Full report, appendixes and extracts 

The Foresight Wiki is a web-based, collaborative platform supported by the Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding from Romania, and developed during the project Quality and Leadership for Romanian Higher Education. The name indicates that the wiki technology for developing collaborative websites is being used. This allows members of the Future Studies & Foresight community of practice to write articles that any other member can edit.

The Foresight Wiki was officially launched on April 15th 2010, during the workshop Jointly Shaping and Launching the Foresight Wiki, coordinated by Dr. Philine Warnke.