The 2nd NACLICS Conference on Innovation, Development and Policy took place from 24 to 26 June 2026 at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados. Held under the theme “Modeling Tomorrow: Innovation for Sustainable Development,” the conference convened academics, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to examine how innovation can contribute to more inclusive and sustainable patterns of development.
A central objective of the conference was to strengthen the community of scholars studying innovation and development across North America, the Caribbean, and beyond. Particular attention was given to the capacity of innovation to reduce inequalities within and between countries and to support development processes that leave no one behind.
The conference welcomed research addressing a broad range of contemporary challenges, including innovation in blue and green economies, poverty and hunger reduction, decent work and economic growth, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, industrial and infrastructure development, and digital transitions. Through research presentations, special sessions, panels, and exchanges among participants, these themes encouraged dialogue between theoretical research and practical policy challenges.
Held in conjunction with the NACLICS PhD Academy, the conference also created opportunities for interaction between established researchers and emerging scholars. This connection strengthened knowledge exchange across career stages and contributed to a broader conversation about the role of innovation systems, policy, and collaborative research in shaping sustainable development.