Research

di-Lab (Data · Digital · Development x Governance)
di-Lab (Data · Digital · Development x Governance) https://di-lab.kaist.ac.kr

Sustainable Development, Data & Digital Governance, Technology & Global Political Economy, AI & Society, ICT4D

di-Lab is an interdisciplinary research group that values intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and epistemological openness.

di-Lab is an interdisciplinary research group with a focus on technology, development, and governance. New emerging technologies and the current data revolution greatly impact not only our daily lives but also global technology governance as a field of cooperation and competition. These socio-technical phenomena call for multi-disciplinary research to investigate the fundamental relationship between technology, governance, and national/global development. Reflecting this trend, "di" stands for development innovation, digital inclusion, and data ingenuity. We are committed to aiming at epistemological, methodological, contextual diversity. di-Lab aims for bridging the gap between theory and practice, in linking up data of different epistemological nature - qualitative and quantitative, using a range of innovative methods - interpretive analysis, field work, observation, machine learning and mixed methods.

Research Projects

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    Exploring the role of digital innovation for development effectiveness (국제개발협력을 위한 디지털혁신의 역할)
    National Research Foundation 2022.05 - 2025.04 di-Lab (Data · Digital · Development x Governance)

    This research aims to study the application of innovative digital technologies for improvement of development and cooperation efficiency. The cases of machine learning and data platform for offical development aid statistics, and distributed ledger technologies for aid transparency will be comparatively analyzed in terms of potential and limitations. Funded by 2022 Junior Researcher Program in Humanities and Social Sciences by National Research Foundation of Korea.

    Researcher(s): Kyung Ryul Park, May Myat Thwe, Dong Joon Lee, Junho Lee, Ji-Soo Sim, IBS 데이터사이언스그룹

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    National space policy and international cooperation in an era of rising techno-nationalism (기술국가주의 시대 미래 우주기술정책과 국제협력 연구)
    Ministry of Science and ICT, National Research Foundation 2022.05 - 2026.12 di-Lab (Data · Digital · Development x Governance)

    Research Institutes: Sejong University, (PI), KAIST, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Hongik University Major trends and technology competitions in national space policy will be analyzed, and implications on global sustainable development possessed by space navigation and satelite technology will be studied with respect to the technonationalist perspective. By promoting fruitful exchange between participating reserach institutes, we aim to contribute to the development of human expertise on technology policy.

    Researcher(s): Kyung Ryul Park, Yunji Woo, Ji-Soo Sim, 세종대학교, 서울대학교, 연세대학교, 홍익대학교

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    Digital Platforms for Disease Surveillance and Control: Best practice case studies from Asia (질병감시 및 관리를 위한 디지털 플랫폼: 아시아 국가 비교 연구)
    Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation 2021.07 - 2024.12 di-Lab (Data · Digital · Development x Governance)

    Under the sponsorship by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, a group research on digital platforms for effective disease control will be conducted for 4 years, starting in 2024. With focus on the UN SDG3(disease alleviation and ensuring healthy lives) and 4.3(equal access to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education), digital platforms, District Health Information Software(DHIS), AI analysis are set as central challenges. Digital health framework will be developed for research on best practices in Asian countires. To endorse exchange between researchers, KAIST, University of Oslo, Society for Health Information Systems Programmes, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Sree Chitra Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology participate as partners.

    Researcher(s): Kyung Ryul Park

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    Artificial Intelligence and Global Technology Governance: Focus on Post-2030 Agenda (인공지능과 글로벌기술거버넌스: Post-2030 의제를 중심으로)
    KAIST 2021.05 - 2021.12 di-Lab (Data · Digital · Development x Governance)

    Post-AI, Sustainable development goals (SDGs), Artificial intelligence, International development cooperation, Science technology and innovation (STI) This research is part of KAIST Post AI Resarch Center's selected projects. It is a preemptive academic effort to establish the position of AI in Post-2030 Agenda after SDGs, situated within the times of inevidtable competition of AI technologies and shifting political landscape of interntional power balance. Content analysis and discourse analysis methods are used on unstructured data, such as government documents, to analyze cases of AI usage and strategy adopted by various actors to meet SDGs. Based on the result, the potential of AI technology and risk factors, both technological and non-technological, will be assessed with respect to 17 SDGs proposed, and the anticipated outcomes and further challenges for Post-2030 Agenda will be drawn. We expect to find some policy implications for leading global discourse on AI governance and its application in development and cooperation.

    Researcher(s): Kyung Ryul Park, Ji-Soo Sim, 박지원(Jiwon Park), 정현수(Hyon Soo Jeong)

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    Roles of Science and Technology in International Development Cooperation: Focus on ICT and the SDGs
    KAIST 2018.08 - 2021.12 di-Lab (Data · Digital · Development x Governance)

    Science, Technology, Innovation(STI) is an important element in realizing UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this project, we provided analysis of the discourse regarding STI inside the field of international development and cooperation, and discussion about Korean official development aid policy. In particular, we based our analysis of STI elements reflected in Korean ODA policy on official documents produced by the government and naitonal research institutes. Our central finidng suggests that there is a general lack of clear understanding and comprehensive strategy in Korean STI-ODA despite its importance, of which the situation can be greatly improved with integration between ODA and STI, development of national STI roadmap, and related frameworks.

    Researcher(s): Kyung Ryul Park

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    Research on Inviting Outstanding Students from the New Southern Region and Fostering Education & Research Environment by S&T-Centered Research Universities
    Ministry of Science and ICT 2019.06 - 2019.12 di-Lab (Data · Digital · Development x Governance)

    National science and technology institutes have enacted research on developing STEM human resources and adaptive education/research environment in ASEAN and Indian regions, for the purpose of implementing "People(human-centered people's diplomacy)", which is one of the three visions of the New Southern Policy. By the end of 2019, the five institues have executed surveys, interviews, and public meetings targeting international students from New Southern area. Analysis on motivation, expected outcomes, livelihood, satisfaction, and future career of international students and their research activities were made, and seven policy tasks were drawn as a result. This research project will be reflected inside STEM human resources development policy and the rules of each university under cooperation from the Science, ICT, and Future HR Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Science and ICT. 참여연구원: 임문정, 박지원, 우지수, 금현아, 이인건

    Researcher(s): Kyung Ryul Park, Jisu Woo, Hyun Ah Keum, 임문정,박지원,이인건