The power of persuasion: Meet Mariana Mazzucato
Mariana Mazzucato is a renowned economist and professor at University College London. She is known for her persuasive tonality and her ability to challenge conventional economic thinking. Her work has been influential in shaping public policy, particularly in the areas of innovation and economic growth. Mazzucato's approach to economics is rooted in the belief that the state has a critical role to play in fostering innovation and driving economic growth. She argues that the private sector alone cannot be relied upon to invest in risky, long-term projects that have the potential to transform society. Instead, she advocates for a more active role for the government in supporting innovation and creating new markets.
One of Mazzucato's most famous works is her book "The Entrepreneurial State", which challenges the idea that the private sector is solely responsible for driving innovation. In the book, she argues that many of the key technologies that have transformed our lives were developed with significant government support. From GPS to the internet, these technologies were often funded by public investment and research. Her persuasive tonality has helped her to communicate these complex ideas to a wider audience. She has been a frequent commentator on economic issues in the media, and her TED talk on "The Real Story Behind Innovation" has been viewed over 2 million times. In addition to her academic work, she also advises governments around the world on innovation policy. She has worked with policymakers in countries such as Italy, Norway, and South Africa to develop strategies for promoting innovation and economic growth.
Overall, Mariana Mazzucato is a leading voice in economics who has challenged conventional thinking about the role of government in fostering innovation. Her persuasive tonality and ability to communicate complex ideas have made her an influential figure both within academia and beyond.
We are proud to announce her speech at the commercial space days 2023.
Mariana Mazzucato is a Professor at University College London and author of the highly-acclaimed Mission Economy: A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism.
Mariana Mazzucato (PhD) is Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value at University College London (UCL), where she is Founding Director of the UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose (IIPP). She is winner of international prizes including the Grande Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana in 2021, Italy's highest civilian honour, the 2020 John von Neumann Award, the 2019 All European Academies Madame de Staël Prize for Cultural Values, and 2018 Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought. She was named as one of the '3 most important thinkers about innovation' by The New Republic, one of the 50 most creative people in business in 2020 by Fast Company, and one of the 25 leaders shaping the future of capitalism by WIRED.
She is the author of four highly-acclaimed books: The Entrepreneurial State: Debunking Public vs. Private Sector Myths (2013), The Value of Everything: Making and Taking in the Global Economy (2018), Mission Economy: A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism(2021), and most recently The Big Con: How the Consulting Industry Weakens our Businesses, Infantilizes our Governments and Warps our Economies (2023). She advises policymakers around the world on innovation-led inclusive and sustainable growth. Her current roles include being Chair of the World Health Organization's Council on the Economics of Health for All, Co-Chair of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, a member of the South African President’s Economic Advisory Council, the Scottish Government’s Council of Economic Advisors, the European Space Agency’s High-Level Advisory Group on Human and Robotic Space Exploration for Europe, and the United Nations High-level Advisory Board (HLAB) on Economic and Social Affairs, among others.