At first glance, large regions like York, Peel and the City of Toronto may appear to be where Ontario\u2019s innovation powerhouses are located.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s the province\u2019s mid-sized regions that are the \u201cfrontlines\u201d of technological and socio-economic change, says Professor of Political Science Charles Conteh.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have shifts in technology; you have shifts in global markets. I want to tell the story of how regions are navigating the currents of change.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conteh explores how Hamilton, London, Niagara, Greater Sudbury and Windsor-Essex are reinventing themselves by leveraging their resources, talent and competitive advantages in his new book, Mediating Innovation Policy Delivery: The Regional Innovation Centres of Ontario<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n Driving innovation in these regions are what Conteh calls \u201cintermediary institutions.\u201d<\/p>\n Through formal and informal networks, these institutions support the sharing of knowledge, exchange of ideas and coordination of activities among the public, private and non-profit sectors.<\/p>\n Intermediary institutions also play a role in the work of Ontario\u2019s Regional Innovation Centres (RICs)<\/a>, he says, which help entrepreneurs and innovators develop and market their goods and services.<\/p>\n