Farming projects must be able to access research at any point along the innovation trajectory, say Rasheed Sulaiman V. and colleagues.

Technological innovation can't be imposed on poor people — they must be engaged to select ideas that suit their lives, writes Lawrence Gudza.

Current models of innovation ignore small-scale technology — institutions must ensure it's a key part of the agenda, says Tony Marjoram.

New models of intellectual property rights are needed to protect — and promote — local knowledge and innovations, says Anil Gupta.

Improving health for the poor depends on nurturing local innovations — and learning how to deliver them, argue Abdallah Daar and Peter Singer.

Africa must make sure its grassroots innovations can benefit from a new global green technology support mechanism, argues Linda Nordling.

Nuclear power is no magic solution, argues Pervez Hoodbhoy — it's not safe, or cheap, and it leads to weapons programmes.

Nuclear power can benefit developing countries but requires long-term planning and an educated workforce, says Michael J. Mangala.

Health scientists in developing countries can use social media to tackle research priorities, argue Alexander E. T. Finlayson and colleagues.

Developing countries forging ahead with nanotechnology need regulation and research into local risk patterns, say Alok Dhawan and Vyom Sharma.

Developing world scientists should be empowered to do their own medical genomics research, say Carlos D. Bustamante and colleagues.

The success of Latin American countries is held back by underinvestment in science, says development policy expert Francisco Sagasti.

The Islamic world needs new mechanisms that enable leaders to interact informally and share scientific knowledge, argues Athar Osama.

India must reject imported technology to ensure the safety of new nuclear power stations, says A. Gopalakrishnan.

Is the turmoil in Arab countries fertile ground for science diplomacy? Yes, but only with due attention to local context, argues Athar Osama.

Africa must put differences aside before its plans for research and education excellence can come to fruition, argues Linda Nordling.

To make an impact, small-scale renewable energy systems must fit social expectations and cultural norms, argues Benjamin K. Sovacool.

To boost commercialisation of research developing nations must carve out policies that suit their own needs, argues Bhaven N. Sampat.

We need to move beyond using spending on R&D as an indicator of innovation to a systems perspective, writes Eduardo Viotti.

Africa should embrace open source scientific software, cutting costs and boosting IT skills across the continent, argues Linda Nordling.