PUBLIC ONLINE SEMINAR
Event Invitation: 1-Hour Online Seminar on Techno-Nationalism and Geopolitical Risk
Registration – Click Here
Why Attend?
As the race for technological supremacy heats up, the US-China rivalry is reshaping global trade, governance, and innovation. With China surpassing the US in 57 of 64 critical technologies and the US embracing techno-nationalist policies, global power dynamics are at a crossroads.
- Understand the shifting dynamics of U.S.-China relations.
- Gain insights into strategies shaping global technology leadership.
- Hear from experts in geopolitics, innovation, and technology.
Synopsis:
Techno-nationalism is reshaping the global order, linking a nation’s technological capabilities and self-sufficiency to its security, prosperity, and stability. This emerging governance approach sees countries using technology as a critical tool for exerting power in the global marketplace. In contrast to techno-globalism, techno-nationalism focuses on developing domestic technologies to secure political, economic, and social advantages, often at the expense of foreign competitors.
China is at the heart of this movement, with policies designed to close the technological gap with the U.S. Through mercantilist strategies and substantial long-term investments in its innovation ecosystem, China has overtaken the U.S. in 57 out of 64 key future technologies. Just two decades ago, the U.S. led in 60 of these areas; today, it leads in only seven. In response, U.S. policy has shifted dramatically—from efforts to integrate China into the liberal international trade system to aggressive tariffs, sector-specific regulations, and targeted actions against firms like Huawei and TikTok. These changes, initiated during the Trump administration, have been carried forward by the Biden administration and are likely to intensify further in the current geopolitical era. This event offers a unique opportunity to explore the stakes of this high-tech rivalry and its global implications.
Join us for a timely and thought-provoking discussion with leading experts on the future of global technology governance and innovation.
Event Outline:
- Welcome: Dr. Marion Frenz (Deputy Director, CIMR, Birkbeck, University of London)
- Chair: Professor Birgitte Andersen (CEO of Big Innovation Centre Ltd. and Professor of Economics and Innovation Management at Birkbeck, University of London)
Keynote Address:
- Prof. Bengt Åke Lundvall: Techno-nationalism and the China/US Relationship
A globally renowned authority in the field of innovation systems and economic development, Professor Lundvall has pioneered research into the dynamics of innovation, competitiveness, and globalisation. He founded the widely applied theory of National Innovation Systems in 1985 while he held his position at Aalborg University. He has held influential roles, including serving as Deputy Director of the OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry, and has been a key advisor to numerous governments and international organisations. His extensive work on the interplay between technology and national economic strategies places him at the forefront of understanding techno-nationalism.
Panel Presentations from CIMR (Centre for Innovation Management Research) at Birkbeck, University of London:
- Prof. Xiaming Liu: Techno-nationalism and the China/US Relationship: Prospects for the Future
A leading expert in international trade, foreign direct investment, and economic growth, Professor Liu brings decades of experience from top academic and management roles in both China and the UK. His deep understanding of multinational enterprises and their role in global innovation systems provides a critical lens on US-China dynamics.
- Ass. Prof. John Diamondopoulos: Great Power Dyadic Risk: Political Risk Perceptions and Firm Valuation
A dynamic researcher specialising in US-China political risk and its impact on the valuation of technology companies, Dr. Diamondopoulos blends academic rigor with over 20 years of practical consulting and entrepreneurial experience. His expertise in financial crisis theory, central bank transparency, and macro strategies adds a unique perspective to this debate. Birkbeck and Regent’s University London.
- Prof. Klaus Nielsen: Semiconductors – The Achilles’ Heel of China’s Techno-nationalist Strategy?
An esteemed Professor Emeritus in institutional economics, Professor Nielsen’s expertise spans varieties of capitalism, innovation, and social capital. With a decades-long focus on China, including research on the influence of Confucianism on economic behaviour, he provides nuanced insights into the cultural and institutional underpinnings of Chinese innovation strategies.
Panel Discussion:
An engaging Q&A session to explore the topics in depth.
Don’t miss out on this insightful debate!
