Richard R Nelson (1930–2025): Evolutionary economist and innovation scholar

This article attempts to set out systematically Richard Nelson's contributions to the economics of innovation and to the emerging field of innovation studies. While focusing mainly on his fundamental research contributions, it also examines his impact on policy as well as his work supervising students and mentoring young researchers. In addition, it highlights his role at the centre of an expanding international network of scholars working to build the field of innovation studies over the last 60 years, and helping to imbue it with a set of values emphasizing openness, collaboration and intellectual generosity.