Posted by: Lauren Barnes  |  Posted on: June 27th, 2026

The Project

In January 2026, four scholars from the UK and South Korea presented their research papers, followed by a hybrid roundtable discussion with academic staff from the University of Stirling, as well as academics and students from Yonsei University.

The project aimed to facilitate the knowledge exchanges among politics scholars and students by focusing on the topic of South Korea’s sustainable reconstruction and green diplomacy in Global South, including in post-conflict countries. The event’s objectives included organising a session where UK and South Korean based scholars came together to exchange ideas and collaborate on research projects, and potential for postgraduate research supervision.

The budget contributed to the logistics for the applicants to co-organise the event titled examining South Korea’s approaches to sustainable reconstruction and green diplomacy in post-conflict countries in the Global South at the Department of Political Science at Yonsei University in Seoul.

Participants in the seminar

Summary of Achievements

1. Research collaboration and co-organising an event in Seoul at Yonsei University that brought together scholars based in the UK and South Korea.
2. Presenting four papers by scholars based in the UK and South Korea on issues related to examining South Korea’s approaches to sustainable reconstruction and green diplomacy in post-conflict countries in the Global South.
3. Broadening the network between scholars based in the UK and South Korea.
4. Discussing and brainstorming ideas for future joint projects and collaboration between scholars at the University of Stirling and Yonsei University.

Reflecting on the Project

We co-organised (co-organisers from the University of Stirling and Professor Teadong Lee at Yonsei University and the head of the Climate Adaptation Living Lab Research Group and Y-Circle) a seminar on 5 January 2026 at Yeonhee Hall, Yonsei University, where four scholars presented and the audience included students and other academics.
The seminar was composed of two parts: The first part comprised presentations of research papers, and the second part was a hybrid round-table discussion titled International Development Cooperation for Sustainable Development, featuring academics from Yonsei University and the University of Stirling.

First part: Presentations and discussions: Four research papers were presented, followed by discussions and Q&As after each presentation.

The first paper was presented by Zana Gul, titled:South Korea’s sustainable reconstruction approaches in the Global South, focusing on post-conflict countries: The case of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The second paper was presented by Hyeyoon Park titled: South Korea’s critical minerals diplomacy toward the Global South: “Green and Just” partnerships for energy transition?

The third presentation was given by Professor Taedong Lee at Yonsei University, titled Climate Adaptation Living.

The fourth research paper was presented by Professor Ibok Rhee, titled Global Climate Action and Local Rights Survey Experimental Evidence on Public Support for Carbon Offsetting in Liberia.

The discussions about the four papers were lively, enjoyable, and engaging. The audience members reflecting on the papers included peer presenters, staff, and students from Yonsei University.

The second part of the event: Round-table discussion titled International Development Cooperation for Sustainable Development. The discussions included academic staff from both universities, who explored potential joint research projects and co-supervision of postgraduate students. The second part of the event provided a great opportunity for us to discuss building long-term collaborations and partnerships between academics and students.

Hybrid roundtable discussion ‘International Development Cooperation for Sustainable Development’

Next Steps

We aim to continue our discussions on collaboration between the University of Stirling and Yonsei University on joint research projects, including publications, research grants, and potential postgraduate research supervision.

  Grants     grants