The 3rd International PhD Academy on Innovation, Development & Policy, organized by NACLICS and hosted by The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, took place from 22 to 26 June 2026 under the theme “Modeling Tomorrow: Innovation for Sustainable Development.” The Academy brought together advanced doctoral students, early-career researchers, academics, and practitioners interested in the relationships between innovation, development, and public policy.
Designed as a multidisciplinary learning and research environment, the Academy combined lectures and mentoring by experienced scholars and practitioners with expert panels connecting perspectives from academia, policymaking, and industry. Participants also received faculty feedback on their working papers and took part in professional development activities, field visits, and a hackathon focused on innovation for sustainable development.
The program addressed areas closely connected to the Sustainable Development Goals, including innovation systems, technological capability building, science, technology and innovation policy, sustainable development, digitalization, and sustainability transitions. By combining theoretical discussion with practical and collaborative activities, the Academy provided young researchers with opportunities to strengthen their research while expanding their international academic networks.
The 2026 edition reinforced the role of the NACLICS PhD Academy as a space for developing new generations of innovation and development scholars and encouraging research capable of responding to complex economic, social, technological, and environmental challenges.