Darius Ornston

Darius Ornston is Professor and Director of Academic Life at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto. His research examines innovation policy, regional economic development, and institutional adaptation, particularly how cooperation facilitates economic restructuring. Ornston has authored books analyzing how small states enter high-technology markets and how governance systems can lead to policy overshooting.

His current research investigates how cities leverage civic capital to compete in technology markets, the role of anchor firms in regional innovation ecosystems, and political barriers to policy experimentation. Ornston collaborates with international organizations including the OECD and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on innovation policy design.

He teaches courses on global innovation policy, political economy of the welfare state, and innovation in urban contexts. Ornston's work combines comparative political economy with economic geography to understand how regions adapt to technological change and economic crises.