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Dan Breznitz has won the 2021 Donner Prize for his book, Innovation in Real Places: Strategies for Prosperity in an Unforgiving World, published by Oxford University Press.

The $50,000 prize is awarded annually by the Donner Canadian Foundation to Canadian authors who showcase excellence and innovation in public policy.

“I am truly humbled by this honour,” said Breznitz, who is the Munk Chair of Innovation Studies at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, with a cross-appointment to the department of political science in the Faculty of Arts & Science. “We have an amazing country and a thriving society – it is time we make sure Canadians can excel in Canada and make Canada excel in turn, without having to leave it.”

The Donner Prize jury called Innovation in Real Places “essential reading for anyone interested in policy, industry, science, finance, competition, and regional development.”

One of the many strengths of the book is the differentiation between invention and innovation. Breznitz focuses on diverse types of innovation and the role of governments to facilitate – and not impede – the innovation process,” said the jury, which was chaired by David Dodge, former governor of the Bank of Canada. “There is little doubt that innovation is a key driver of economic progress, and Breznitz offers a clear explanation of the range of factors at play that can help or hinder the growth of an innovation economy.”

Breznitz co-directs the Munk School’s and co-leads CIFAR’s program on . Breznitz is currently serving as the in the federal department of finance.