Science and Technology in the Pacific Century (STIP):
A joint research initiative of the University of Illinois and Indiana University

Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, University of Illinois

East Asian Studies Center, Indiana University

The basic premise of STIP is that in the course of the first half of the 21^st century, a major change will occur in the geographical and cultural locus of much basic research, development, and education in science and technology.  Increasingly, leading scientific research institutions and universities will be located in East Asian countries (China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan) as well as in South Asia (chiefly India).  As this shift occurs, the cultures, governments, and international policies of states in these regions will take on new importance in influencing the paradigms and values that guide scientific inquiry.  To the degree that culture and politics matter to science, such a change will affect scientific practice itself.  To the degree that modern Western and Asian states have defined themselves in terms of leadership in or exclusion from scientific development, this shift will have significant cultural impact.  And from all points of view, this change has important policy implications. 

Although a small number of academics pursue research on these issues, a research community with a strong communication network and focused publication venue has yet to emerge.  The immediate objectives of the STIP project are to link faculty in a wide variety of relevant fields at the University of Illinois and Indiana University, and through two years of interdisciplinary exploration of issues and joint fieldwork in East Asia, prepare to host an international conference in 2009-10.  The long-term goal is to build intellectual capacity and academic cooperation and coordination on these topics.

Science and Technology in the Pacific Century

A joint research initiative of the University of Illinois and Indiana University

Coordinating offices:

Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, University of Illinois

East Asian Studies Center, Indiana University

The STIP project explores shifts in the location of leading scientific research towards East Asian institutions, which is likely in this century to affect scientific practice and have significant impact on East Asia and the West.  the project objective is to build intellectual capacity and academic coordination on these topics.