Gender: Woman
Nationality: Republic of Korea
Academy Affiliation: The Korean Academy of Science and Technology
Academy Country: Republic of Korea
Field: Spatial big data analysis, science of patent policy and technology credit scoring

NOMINATED FOR: Advisory Committee;
TERM: First-time candidate

DESCRIPTION OF INVOLVEMENT IN THE ACADEMY'S ACTIVITIES OR IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS:

Prof. So Young Sohn is a fellow of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) and recently became a Distinguished University Professor at Yonsei, following her retirement as Professor Emeritus of Industrial Engineering in Feb 2025. She is an expert in Science of Technology Policy based on spatial big data and patent analytics. Her evidence-based technology rating system has contributed to national growth by providing screening guidelines to the agency managing Korea’s technology credit guarantee fund for SMEs with promising technology. This led to her invitation to UNCTAD’s Expert Committee for the Entrepreneurship Policy Framework and Implementation Guidance.

Prof. Sohn has been active in science and engineering communities both nationally and internationally. She served as Vice Director for International Activities at the Accreditation Board for Engineering Education in Korea (2003–2011), promoting Washington Accord activities. She is the only female academician in KAST’s engineering division and has mentored women scientists and advanced gender representation, including as Director of the KAST Women Scientists Committee (2022–2024).

Since 2022, she has served on AASSA’s Women in Science and Engineering Special Committee, contributing to IAP-supported workshops, seminars, and the selection of Yoo Hang Kim Young Women Scientists Award recipients. She is also involved in a regional book project spotlighting women in science and technology. 

EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES IN AN IAP, NATIONAL ACADEMY OR OTHER SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING BODY:

• (2022-pres) Member, Women in Science and Engineering Special Committee, AASSA
• (2022-2023) Director, Women Scientists Committee, KAST
• (2024-pres) Associate Editor of Scientometrics, An International Journal of all Quantitative Aspects of the Science of Science, Communication in Science and Science Policy
• (2014-2024) Vice President of Korean Society for Quality Management
• (2013-2014) Vice President of Korea Institute of Industrial Engineering
• (2014-2015) Visiting Scholar, Center for International Development, Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, MA, USA
• (2012) UNCTAD - Expert Committee for Entrepreneurship Policy Framework and Implementation Guidance
• (2008) Visiting Scholar, Center for Technology Management, Institute of Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, UK
• (2003-2011) Vice Director, International Activities, Accreditation Board for Engineering Education in Korea