Shawn Cunningham

Shawn Cunningham is a prominent academic and consultant currently serving as a Professor of Practice with the DST/NRF/Newton Fund Trilateral Chair in Transformative Innovation at the University of Johannesburg. His role focuses on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Sustainable Development, where he engages in research and advisory work aimed at enhancing innovation systems and institutional change.

Professional Background

• Consultancy: Cunningham is a partner at Mesopartner, an international consultancy based in Germany, specializing in economic development. He has extensive experience as a process consultant, supporting various institutions and leaders in decision-making under uncertainty and fostering resilience within institutional networks.13
• International Advisory: He serves as an advisor to numerous think tanks, universities, and governments worldwide, contributing his expertise in technological change and innovation systems.12
• World Economic Forum: From October 2020 to August 2022, he was a council member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council for Economic Growth and Recovery, where he addressed global economic challenges.1

Research Interests

Cunningham’s research interests include:

• The dynamics of learning and innovation within societies.
• The evolution of institutions that promote resilience and inclusiveness.
• Strategies for catalyzing innovation across various sectors.23

Current Projects

He leads the Technological Change and Innovation System Observatory project hosted by Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) in South Africa, where he focuses on diagnosing industry opportunities and enhancing public agency services.13

Cunningham's work is characterized by a commitment to improving organizational capabilities in learning and innovation, helping teams navigate complex environments effectively.23