Regulation and innovation have received considerable attention in discussions about how to organise the state and implement public policies. In the 2021 Regulatory Policy Outlook, the OECD sustains that the old paradigm, or regulatory reform policy 1.0, is not in opposition to the new and pro-innovation 2.0 paradigm. Meanwhile, the OECD also calls for a reboot in long-standing regulatory practices and tools in the name of a more transformational and experimental approach to harness innovation.
Some questions arise, such as, are the traditional tools like regulatory impact assessment (RIA) obsolete, or do they need to be re-invented in light of the renewed attention for innovation? Do institutions like the European Commission need to adopt an ‘innovation principle’ – and if so, what does it consist of, exactly – or a ‘competitiveness test’? Does foresight interact with benefit-cost analysis, or supersede it? Fundamentally, do we need to regulate innovation or regulate for innovation?
In conversation with a panel of experts from the fields of better regulation and regulatory governance, this event will discuss the complexities of integrating the discipline of traditional regulatory practices with the flexibility of pro-innovation approaches, as well as the opportunities and tools that emerge at the governance level (particularly in sectors like sustainable or cleaner technologies).
To untangle these challenges and highlight the opportunities, the speakers will share their insights and discuss how to embed the innovation imperative into better regulation processes and tools.
The event will be held at Palazzo Buontalenti, the premises of the Florence School of Transnational Governance EUI, and online. All are welcome to attend. Please register, indicating if you will attend in person or online.
Lorenzo Allio is the Founding Director of allio|rodrigo consulting, a boutique firm specializing in public decision-making and regulatory management. With 25 years of experience, he has worked on regulatory tools, risk regulation, administrative simplification, and public governance. Since 2011, his firm has collaborated with over 60 countries, partnering with the OECD, World Bank Group, and other international organizations. He also provides executive training on High-Quality Regulation with the Florence School of Transnational Governance. Previously, Lorenzo served as an Administrator in the OECD and co-founded the European Regulation and Innovation Forum (ERIF). He has lectured at the Université de Lausanne and the Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration (IDHEAP) since 2013. Lorenzo holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from King’s College London and degrees from the College of Europe and the University of Basel.
Bruno Queiroz Cunha is a Policy Leader Fellow at the Florence School of Transnational Governance (EUI), with 20 years of experience in regulatory policy, governance, and public sector innovation. He has led major projects in the Brazilian Federal Government and consulted for international organizations, supporting regulatory initiatives across Latin America. Bruno holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and an MSc in Regulation from the London School of Economics. His current focus is on helping Latin American regulatory agencies navigate international policy trends to enhance regulatory resilience and innovation.
Sofia Ranchordas is a scholar on regulation of digital technology (including AI), regulation and inequities (race, gender, and economic inequalities), and (comparative) administrative law. She is a Full Professor of Administrative Law at Tilburg Law School and a Professor of Public Law at Luiss Guido Carli in Rome. She leads two prestigious research projects (NWO-Vidi, WASP-HS) on vulnerability in the automated state. Her latest book, Introduction to Law and Regulation (Cambridge University Press, 2024, with Karen Yeung) offers a primer on regulatory studies.
Claudio Radaelli is a Full-Time Professor at the Florence School of Transnational Governance (EUI), specialising in public policy. His research focuses on the EU policy process, regulatory reform, and the role of expertise in governance. He has received two ERC advanced grants, including the Protego project on effective governance tools, and has published over 80 journal articles and 55 book chapters. Previously, he held positions at University College London and the University of Exeter, where he directed the Centre for European Governance. Claudio has trained public managers in regulatory policy across 30 countries and teaches at the College of Europe. He is Editor-in-Chief of the International Review of Public Policy and serves on several editorial boards.
Gaia Taffoni is a Research Fellow at the Florence School of Transnational Governance (EUI), where she teaches Policy Evaluation and develops innovative teaching methods. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the Università Statale of Milano (2019) and has held post-doctoral positions at University College London and teaching roles at the University of Genova and King’s College London. Her research focuses on regulatory governance and the use of evidence in public policy. She works on the RegTrust project at the University of Lausanne, exploring trust in the fintech sector, and contributes to the ESPAS Horizon Scanning project on strategic foresight. Gaia’s work has been published in journals like the Policy Studies Journal and Journal of European Public Policy. She is a member of various academic associations, including the ECPR Standing Group on Regulatory Policy.
Gegham Tovmasyan is a Policy Leader Fellow at the Florence School of Transnational Governance (EUI). Since 2019, he has led the Regulatory Impact Assessment Department at the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, overseeing policy evaluations. Previously, he held roles at Converse Bank CJSC, the IDeA Foundation, and the Ministry of Economy of Armenia. Gegham holds an Executive Master in Development Policies from the Graduate Institute Geneva, a postgraduate certificate from Tufts University’s Fletcher School, and a Bachelor’s in Economics from Yerevan State University. His fellowship project focuses on enhancing policymaking in Armenia through regulatory impact assessment standards.
Gaby Umbach is a Part-time Professor and Director of GlobalStat at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (EUI). She leads the H2020 TRIGGER research pillar on global governance and EU actorness and serves as a Visiting Fellow at the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS). Gaby is also an Adjunct Professor at the Universities of Cologne and Innsbruck, a Board member of the Institute for European Politics Berlin, and Book Review Editor of the Journal of Common Market Studies. Holding a Ph.D. in Political Science from Cologne University, her research focuses on evidence-based policy-making (EBPM), global governance, and sustainable development. She is the Founding Director of GlobalStat, a comprehensive global database linking data to policy. Gaby co-edited the Palgrave Handbook on Indicators in Global Governance and has contributed extensively to research on governance techniques and policy measurement. Her career includes collaborations with the EPRS, OECD, and numerous academic institutions, reflecting her commitment to policy innovation and multilevel governance.