This report summarises the proceedings and key insights from the workshop Building a Social Science Agenda for Challenge-Led Research and Innovation in Australia, held in Melbourne on 21–22 April 2026. The workshop was convened by Prof. Rob Raven (Monash University), Prof. Xuemei Bai (Australian National University), Dr. Christoph Brodnik (Monash University), and Dr. Heinz Schandl (CSIRO).
The workshop brought together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from across Australia and internationally to reflect on the role of the social sciences in shaping challenge-led science, research and innovation (SRI) policy. Discussions focused on themes including transformative innovation policy, mission-oriented research, governance, public participation, equity, and place-based approaches to addressing societal challenges such as climate change and circular economy transitions.
This report synthesises the main themes, discussions, and emerging priorities identified during the workshop. Drawing on the workshop insights, it proposes a novel typology of the role of the social sciences in challenge-led SRI and provides recommendations for advancing a challenge-led SRI policy agenda informed by the social sciences. It is intended as a resource for researchers, policymakers, funding bodies, and institutions interested in strengthening the contribution of social sciences to challenge-led SRI policy and practice in Australia.