This paper seeks to introduce the systems of innovation concept, one of LANSA’s three cross-cutting themes, but not yet well understood by many of its partners and stakeholders. The origins of the concept and the need it was seen to fill will be described. The paper will illustrate the relevance of a system of innovation perspective and the notion of “convergence on nutrition” to LANSA’s objectives using examples from on-going work in Pakistan. It is intended as a living document: revisions will describe insights from the completed Pakistan study and related work elsewhere in LANSA and beyond. Feedback on our approach from partners, stakeholders and colleagues outside LANSA will help us enrich the work.