Rune Dahl Fitjar

Rune Dahl Fitjar is a Professor of Innovation Studies at the University of Stavanger, affiliated with the UiS School of Business and the Department of Innovation, Management and Marketing. He is also the Head of the Centre for Innovation Research and served as Pro-Rector for Innovation and Society from 2019 to 2023.

• PhD in Political Science, London School of Economics (2007)
• Professor at UiS since 2013

His research centers on innovation and regional development, with a strong focus on university-industry collaboration, knowledge exchange, smart specialisation, and the role of place in innovation. He investigates how firms innovate through networks, the impact of relatedness on regional diversification, and the influence of political trust and social capital on economic growth.

Fitjar’s recent publications span leading journals including Research Policy, Regional Studies, and Economic Geography. His work demonstrates a consistent thematic focus on the interplay between innovation systems, regional context, and institutional frameworks. He frequently collaborates with prominent scholars such as Andrés Rodríguez-Pose and Markus Grillitsch.

He has received several accolades, including:

• Stavanger Forum Communication Prize (2011)
• Lyse Research Prize (2013)

Fitjar has supervised and co-authored with numerous researchers and PhD candidates, though specific advisees are not listed. His work is supported by robust research grants and institutional affiliations. He is actively involved in shaping regional innovation policy and has contributed to major policy reports and academic volumes on innovation strategies.

He leads and participates in research teams focused on regional innovation systems, economic transformation, and responsible research and innovation. His ongoing projects explore mission-oriented innovation and the evolution of regional economies in the context of global challenges.