Korean S&T

MONDAY 3 APRIL 2006 For Historic Record Only
"Reflections on Korean science and innovation - where is it heading?"

This page is maintained for historic reference only

Organised by: Asia-Pacific Technology Network and Demos
Location: Demos, Magdalen House, 136 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2TU
Nearest Tube Station: London Bridge
Time: 17.30 - 19.00 - followed by drinks

Chair: Ms Molly Webb, Researcher, Demos

Speakers Dr Jim Thomson, former First Secretary - Science, Technology & Environment, British Embassy, Seoul
Dr Brendan Barker, Manager, Impact and Promotion, Royal Society and former Deputy Director, British Council, Seoul

Background: the Atlas of Ideas
Korean investment in research and development is the highest of any nation, hitting nearly 3% of GDP in the last year. But more importantly, there is an exciting shift in the composition of spending as Korea recognises the value of long-term investments in basic research. Even the recent response to Woo-suk Hwang shows that Korea is ready to handle the responsibility of becoming a science power. Partnerships forged with Korea today will bear fruit in five to ten years and beyond. How can the UK and Korea best collaborate?

This meeting is a joint venture between APTN and Demos. The latter is currently undertaking a 2 year project "The Atlas of Ideas" exploring the relationship between science, innovation and globalisation, with a focus on China, India and South Korea. (For more information, visit http://www.demos.co.uk/atlasofideas/.) Demos aims to run a further half-day session on Korean Science and Technology in the early autumn. For APTN, this seminar builds on the 5 UK-Korea High Technology Forums with which it was intimately involved between 2000-2005

Backgrounds: Speakers and Chair
Dr James M Thomson, MA, PhD, CEng, MIEEConsultant, United Kingdom. Jim Thomson has many years practical experience in spotting technology connections with business potential, and of bringing partners together for win-win solutions. He recently spent just under five years leading the science and innovation effort at the British Embassy, Seoul, with a team that was well known and respected for its dynamic and creative solutions. His responsibilities included business, academic and government to government relationships and connections.

Before his posting to Seoul he worked for the UK Ministry of Defence on missile defence, identifying British technologies of value to US systems and managing the resulting R&D programmes. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the UK Institution of Electrical Engineers. His career has spanned a wide range of technical and policy activities both in R&D establishments and in government headquarters. It includes aerospace R&D, electromagnetics, EMC, nuclear EMP, lightning hazards, flight trials, operational analysis, government defence and science policy and research management. He has a doctorate in electrical control engineering.

Outline Career History 1963-1966 BA (later MA), Engineering Science, Pembroke College, Oxford
1966-1968 Development Engineer, GEC Electronics, Coventry, UK
1968-1972 Doctoral Student, Cambridge University Engineering Department
1972-1986 Royal Aerospace Establishment, Farnborough - aerospace R&D, flight trials. EMC, lightning, nuclear EMP
1986-2000 Ministry of Defence HQ, London - running groups on operational analysis for future offensive air systems; proliferation and technology transfer; and ballistic missile defence
2001-2006 First Secretary - Science, Technology & Environment, British Embassy, Seoul

Contact details 6 Penns Wood, Farnborough, Hants, GU14 6RB
Tel: 01252-514294 and 07905-477878
email: atjimt@hotmail.com

Dr Brendan Barker
Dr Brendan Barker has a PhD in science policy from Manchester University. A number of years working in science policy research at the University - included a two-year secondment to the Japanese National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) working in support of the 1997 Basic Plan for Science and Tecnology. He joined the British Council in Tokyo in 1997. He first managed the British Council's science programme in Japan and then in Korea between 2000 and 2004 following his appointment as Deputy Director of the British Council office in Seoul. In 2004 he was appointed Director of the British Council office in Malawi - with a wider interest in developing British Council science activities in Southern Africa. In February 2006, Dr Barker joined the Royal Society as Manager Impact and Promotion.

Molly Webb
Molly Webb joined Demos in January 2005. She divides her time between web development and research on science, technology and innovation. Molly moved to London in September 2003 for an MSc course in Environmental Policy, Planning and Regulation at the London School of Economics, where her dissertation focused on the environmental and societal implications of nanotechnology. Prior to the course, Molly worked on e-commerce and content websites in Japan and the US, most recently as Director of Interactive Production at Oxygen Media in New York.
Molly's work on the website combines her interests in open access and online tools for participation. In addition to website development, Molly is currently working on the Atlas of Ideas: China, India, South Korea and the new geography of science, and she is leading on the Korea strand of reseach. She is also participating in Nanodialogues, a Sciencewise project looking at public engagement in nanotechnologies.

Background: Demos
Demos is the think tank for everyday democracy. We believe everyone should be able to make personal choices in their daily lives that contribute to the common good. Our aim is to put this democratic idea into practice by working with organisations in ways that make them more effective and legitimate. Our partners include policy-makers, companies, public service providers and social entrepreneurs. Demos is not linked to any party but we work with politicians across political divides. Our international network provides a global perspective and enables us to work across borders. We analyse social and political change, which we connect to innovation and learning in organisations. We help our partners show thought leadership and respond to emerging policy challenges. We focus on six areas: public services; science and technology; cities and public space; people and communities; arts and culture; and global security. Demos is currently undertaking a 2 year project The Atlas of Ideas exploring the relationship between science, innovation and globalisation, with a focus on China, India and South Korea. For more information, visit http://www.demos.co.uk/atlasofideas/.