Dr. Douglas K. R. Robinson is a Policy Advisor at the OECD Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation – Science and Technology Policy division (STP).  At the STP, Douglas is spearheading work on Future-oriented Strategic Intelligence for STI policy, mission and challenge-oriented technology assessment, is part of an OECD cross-cutting initiative on building principles and a framework for anticipatory technology governance of emerging technologies, and is part of the OECD Global Forum on Technology where he is leading an expert focus group of 66 synthetic biology experts spanning 32 different countries, including participants from Africa, Asia, North America, Latin America, Europe and Oceania.

Originally trained as a Physicist and Space Scientist (MPhys), Douglas holds a PhD in technology assessment and foresight for emerging technologies (University of Twente 2010) and a Habilitation (Professor Qualification) in Innovation Management (Université Paris Dauphine 2020). Before arriving at the OECD/STP Douglas was co-director of the LISIS research lab in Paris and a research scientist at the CNRS, France. He is also, since 2017, an honorary associate of the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose at UCL, UK, led by Prof. Mariana Mazzucato focusing on mission-oriented innovation policies.

Previous published works include topics such as the forecasting innovation pathways for emerging technologies, mission-oriented innovation policies, anticipatory impact assessment and foresight, responsible research and innovation, and co-creation of technologies for societal grand challenges.  

Alongside publishing scientific articles Douglas also produces reports on science, technology and innovation policy as well as on the ramifications of technology for the economy and for society. Recent reports for public agencies and international organisations include the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, French Institute for Research for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), European Space Agency and NASA.