Glossary for National Emerging Technology Policy Strategising (NETS)
To support the National Emerging Technology Strategising (NETS) project, this glossary was developed as a 'living resource' of key terms and definitions related to emerging technology policy showcasing inconsistencies in how these terms are used and why awareness of these inconsistencies is important.
Figure 1. Word cloud of selected emerging technology definitions
Why This Glossary Matters
There are many terms in innovation and industrial policy that are widely used but interpreted inconsistently. As these terms are often central to national strategy, economic resilience, and global competitiveness, differences in interpretation can create confusion, misalignment, and fragmented action.
This glossary was developed to bring clarity, not by forcing a single definition, but by making differences visible. The same term can mean different things depending on where different actors sit in the system: science policy, innovation policy, industrial policy, trade, regional development, or beyond. Understanding these differences is essential for coherent policy strategy, design, coordination, and collaboration.
What This Glossary Does
Rather than prescribing "one right" meaning, this glossary gathers and compares how key terms are currently used across policy, academic, and industry contexts. Each term includes a:
- Short synthesis of shared insights and core attributes across existing definitions
- List of existing definitions from diverse sources
- Comparison of how meanings change across different policy contexts (e.g. innovation policy, industrial policy, trade, etc.)
A Living Resource
The definitions collected here are not exhaustive, and our synthesis is not a universally accepted definition. It is a pragmatic effort to surface common ground while acknowledging diversity in use. We will continue to update and expand this glossary as concepts evolve and practice changes.
We also welcome suggestions for additional terms or definitions you would like to see included. Get in touch at vd334@cam.ac.uk.
Definitions
Industrial value chain systems
Own-collaborate-acess framework
