HSE Joins Asian STI Think Tanks Network

The Higher School of Economics joined the Asian STI Think Tanks Network at the 4^th Asian Innovation Forum (Taipei (Taiwan), 9-10 July). HSE was represented by Mikhail Gershman, Deputy Director of the Centre for S&T, Innovation and Information Policy of the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge.

ASTN Network Agreement

The Asian STI Think Tanks Network was established in 2015 to promote experience sharing and facilitate design of development strategies in Asian countries in line with evidence-based S&T policy principles. With the newly adopted members, the network now comprises 24 organisations from 14 Asian countries responsible for shaping government policies, conducting research, and providing education in the STI area.

Taiwan’s Science & Technology Policy Research and Information Centre (STPI) and the Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP) jointly coordinate the network and host its annual Asian Innovation Forum. The participants comprise leading  government think tanks such as the above-mentioned KISTEP and STPI; the Japanese National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP); the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT)); academies of sciences, including the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development (CASTED), Institutes of Science and Development of the Chinese Academy of Science, and the Malaysian Academy of Sciences; development institutes and foundations such as the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), the Economic Cooperation Organization Science Foundation (ECOSF); and educational organisations such as the Japanese National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS).

The Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) was established by the Higher School of Economics in 2002. After more than 15 years of activities, it became the biggest in Russia, internationally acclaimed think tank in the field of science, technology and innovation statistics, foresight, and STI policy research. Mikhail Gershman presented results of one of the ISSEK’s projects in his report 'Business Trends Studies as an S&T Policy Evaluation Tool: Results of a Russian Pilot Study' at the international STI policy conference 'Navigating the Innovations Through Evaluation' hosted by the Taiwan Science & Technology Policy Research and Information Centre in the scope of the Asian Innovation Forum.

I believe HSE’s participation in the network will make a contribution, both in terms of advancing research cooperation with leading Asian think tanks and increasing the university’s visibility in the Asian region. The network is still very young, but given the participants’ accumulated experience and reputation, it has a very impressive potential.

We discussed possible development areas at the meeting, in particular, making arrangements for regular exchange of information, setting up a fellowship programme for participating organisations’ staff, the network’s management mechanisms, criteria for new members’ admission, and a possible agenda for the next Asian Innovation Forum.

Mikhail Gershman
Deputy Director of the HSE ISSEK Centre for S&T, Innovation and Information Policy

Presentations at the 4^th Asian Innovation Forum following the official meeting of the ASTN participants covered a wide range of issues including Asian countries’ STI strategies, emerging technologies and their effect on the economy and society, and approaches to, and practices of applying various STI policy tools.

See the Asian Innovation Forum website for more information.