EA and KPAC present: Stuart Thorson

Science Engagement with North Korea Stuart Thorson is professor of international relations and political science and is the Donald P. and Margaret Curry Gregg Professor at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University. Thorson has co-edited two books on conflict resolution and over 40 articles and book chapters. His current research interests are the uses of information technology in support of governance and the role of science in diplomacy. Thorson directs the Maxwell Schoolʼs integrated information technology research collaboration with Kim Chaek University of Technology (Democratic Peopleʼs Republic of Korea) and is co-director of Syracuse Universityʼs Regional Scholars and Leaders Seminar initiative. He is a founding member of the National Committee on North Korea (U.S.), a co-founder of the U.S. - DPRK Science Engagement Consortium, and a board member of The Korea Society. The US has many assets such as popular culture and human exchanges that can be used to attract, rather than coerce, other countries to join in cooperative ventures. There is growing evidence suggesting that science engagement is another source of such power. Science engagement has played a significant role in many diplomatic success stories. The resulting attractive, or soft, power is a valuable diplomatic and commercial tool that can reduce reliance on more expensive coercive power. In this presentation Dr. Thorson will provide an overview of U.S. academic initiatives aimed at science collaboration with North Korea with a special focus on recent and upcoming activities of the US-DRPK Science Engagement Consortium. Refreshments will be served.