Caetano Penna

Caetano Penna

Research and advisory at the intersection of evolutionary economics, sustainability transitions, and the political economy of technological change.

CGEE — Director of Strategic Projects and International Relations SPRU — PhD
About

I am an economist specialised in the dynamics of technological change and innovation policy. I work as Director of Strategic Projects and International Relations at CGEE, a think tank advising Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, where I co-lead a team of more than 70 researchers.

My work sits at the intersection of policy advisory, applied research, and international consulting. I have advised the European Commission, the Inter-American Development Bank, and national and local governments on STI policy design, mission-oriented innovation frameworks, and development finance. Before moving into policy, I held academic positions at TU Delft, Utrecht University, and UFRJ.

I hold a PhD in Science and Technology Policy from SPRU, University of Sussex, where I worked with Frank Geels on socio-technical transitions and with Mariana Mazzucato on state investment banks and innovation finance. I am active in international research networks including the Babbage Forum (Cambridge IfM), MIPO, and STRN.

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Essays & Commentary
Além do padrão: reflexões sobre IA e inteligência humana
January 2025 PT
Além do padrão: reflexões sobre IA e inteligência humana
A partir do texto de Silvio Meira sobre singularidade e superinteligência, uma reflexão sobre os limites da IA estatística — e por que a compreensão genuína exige corpo, emoção e história.
read essay → all essays →
Latest
2026
Nações Crustáceas: A Geopolítica da Sobrevivência sob a Doutrina Donroe
Penna, C.C.R.
CEBRI-Revista
2026
From Technological to Transformative Missions: Institutional Capacities and Capabilities for Contemporary Mission-Oriented Policies
Penna, C.C.R.; Velasco, D.; Schot, J.; Molas-Gallart, J.
in Cantner, U., Fornahl, D. and Kuhlmann, S. (eds.) The New Role of the State for Transformative Innovation. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 129–146
2026
What Are Transformative Missions, Really? Three Dimensions for One Shared Understanding
Coenen, T.B.J.; Wiarda, M.; Wanzenböck, I.; Janssen, M.; Penna, C.C.R.
Science and Public Policy, scag002
2025
The Formative Evaluation of Open-Ended Transformative Missions: The Vinnova Experience in the Food System
Penna, C.C.R.; Schot, J.; Velasco, D.; Molas-Gallart, J.
in Edler, J. et al. (eds.) Transformative Mission-Oriented Innovation Policies. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 98–118
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Consulting & Advisory

Since joining CGEE in 2024, I have prospected and secured nearly BRL 20 million in research and advisory projects, supervising a total portfolio of more than BRL 30 million. Below is a selection of individual consultancy engagements.

EU Joint Research Centre
Dec 2024 – Jun 2025
STI Financing for Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
How much development finance actually reaches science and innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa? Principal researcher on a JRC-commissioned study mapping STI financing flows against the SDGs, exposing measurement gaps in ODA frameworks, and proposing new approaches to tracking innovation investment across the continent.
European Commission / EFIS Centre
Mar 2023 – Oct 2024
EU Missions Mutual Learning Exercise
Selected as one of four independent experts advising the European Commission on deploying EU missions at national level. Led the workstream on funding and instrument synergies — how member states can align existing policy tools and financing mechanisms behind mission objectives. Co-authored the final EC publication.
Inter-American Development Bank
Dec 2023 – Apr 2024
Climate Innovation Finance for Latin America
Mapped the landscape of financing schemes and innovation policy instruments for decarbonisation and climate resilience across Latin America and the Caribbean — from public investment programmes and mission-oriented funds to regulatory frameworks — identifying gaps and recommending improvements for the IDB.
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Talks & Presentations
Upcoming
Advances and Perspectives of the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan (PBIA)
Speaker. 10th International Symposium on Immunobiologicals (ISI), Fiocruz / Bio-Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 6–8 May 2026.
Upcoming
Algorithms, AI and Intellectual Property
Panel moderator. XI Congresso ABIPTI, São Paulo, 4–6 May 2026.
Recent
Nov 2025
NDCs and Technology Transfer — Opening Remarks
CGEE Side Event, COP30, Belém.
Oct 2025
Brazil's Artificial Intelligence Plan (PBIA) — Senate Hearing
Public hearing on the PBIA. Senate Commission on Science, Technology, Innovation and Information Technology (CCT), Brasília.
news →
all talks →
Teaching & Supervision
TU Delft · UFRJ · ENAP · ANEEL
Economics of Innovation and Technological Change
From Schumpeterian foundations through sectoral innovation systems to Industry 4.0 and the dynamics of disruptive technologies — taught to MSc students, economics undergraduates, energy regulators, and federal civil servants.
FINEP · ENAP · UFRJ
Innovation Policy, Missions, and the Role of the State
Design, implementation, and evaluation of mission-oriented innovation policies. Intensive workshops for FINEP analysts, capacity-building for MCTI officials, and graduate seminars on public policy management and state capacities.
TU Delft · Utrecht · Sussex
Political Economy, Sustainability, and Transitions
How political, economic, and institutional forces shape large-scale technological and societal transitions — from the Multi-Level Perspective and deep transitions theory to international climate negotiations and the geopolitics of the energy transition.
full teaching & supervision record →
Contact
Email
caetano.penna@gmail.com
Profiles
Scholar LinkedIn ORCID
Press Kit
Short bio in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, plus high-resolution headshots. For event organisers, media, and conference programmes.
download press kit (.zip)