New directions in innovation and development: twenty years of Globelics

This paper takes stock of twenty years of Globelics, a community that has transformed how innovation and development are understood in a global context. It shows how Globelics has contributed to placing the global South more centrally in innovation studies by putting learning, innovation and competence building at the heart of development. Reviewing contributions across five key themes, the paper highlights how Globelics has opened new conceptual and empirical horizons. At the same time, it identifies persistent gaps: limited attention to low-income contexts, the need for better indicators, and the challenge of analyzing innovation in an era of geopolitical tension and climate crisis. Looking ahead, the paper outlines a forward agenda that embraces diverse development pathways, strengthens global analysis, and positions innovation research to confront the defining challenges of our time.