Welcome to the InterAct Network

InterAct is a £4.4 million, Made Smarter Innovation funded, Economic and Social Research Council-led network that aims to bring together economic and social scientists, UK manufacturers, policymakers, and digital technology providers to address the human issues resulting from the diffusion of new technologies in industry.

What is the purpose of InterAct?

Working alongside other partners within the wider Made Smarter Innovation programme, InterAct aims to build a strong, vibrant, interdisciplinary community where funding can be effectively distributed to researchers who will generate actionable economic and social science insights for the benefit of UK businesses.

In a world faced with the looming threat of climate change, the InterAct Network will also support UK manufacturing’s efforts to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

Whilst technology is important, there are many social and economic factors that will be hugely influential in achieving these aims. The InterAct Network has two primary roles:

  1. Develop and support the creation of an effective digital innovation ecosystem to accelerate the innovation and diffusion of Industrial Digital Technologies.
  2. Ensure that the full range and depth of social and economic science insights are accessed across the Made Smarter challenge and wider UK manufacturing sector.

Explore our site to find out more about how you can get involved, interact with us, and make use of the latest resources from our ongoing research projects