Integration of science and policy
Modern economy is based on the innovation system -- the network of institutions in the public and private sectors whose activities and interactions develop and diffuse new technologies --, and in managing this complex system, STI (science, technology, and innovation) policies play an indispensable role. Nevertheless, our understanding in innovation system is still limited for its complexity, and we need to incorporate a wide range of expertise to advance our theoretical foundation and design more effective policies.　When I was at your age, I used to be interested in life sciences and majored pharmaceutical sciences. Upon graduation, I joined consulting business for the pharmaceutical industry, and then, returned to academia as a social scientist. Drawing on my experience in industry and academia and knowledge in natural and social sciences, I have been studying the innovation system particularly from a behavioral science perspective, asking under what policy and organizational contexts knowledge workers in industry and academia succeed in producing innovative achievements, and how such achievements are disseminated and utilized effectively in society. In this challenging field of research and practice, we definitely need active participation of you students, and we are looking forward to seeing you in class.
