This division is not related to the Science and Technology session but about EKC ceremony and plenary talks during EKC event.
In the context of rapidly evolving technological landscapes and increasing societal demands, there is a growing need to explore new directions in built environments and engineering design that integrate sustainability with human-centred values. In particular, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven technologies are redefining the concepts of buildings, infrastructure, cities, and mobility, calling for more integrated and innovative approaches. This session encompasses a wide range of topics, including multisensory environments for health and well-being, indoor and outdoor acoustics, AI-enabled, sustainable, and autonomous built environments, future infrastructure, advanced air mobility, and human-centred urban futures. Sustainability remains a central theme, closely interconnected with architectural design, theory, technology, and engineering. The Built Environment and Engineering Design (BE) session brings together architects, designers, engineers, urban and mobility experts, AI researchers, and policymakers to share recent research and practical developments, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on the future directions of built environments and mobility.

Programme Committee

PROF. KIM, Moon Keun (김문근)
Oslo Metropolitan University
Moon.Kim@oslomet.no
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DR. KIM, Soyeon (김소연)
University of Warwick
soyeon.kim@warwick.ac.uk
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Basic Science has entered a new era in which unprecedented volumes of data, powerful computational resources, and advances in artificial intelligence are reshaping scientific discovery. This program brings together researchers working at the frontiers of mathematics, physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, and related disciplines to explore the fundamental principles governing natural and complex systems. The sessions cover a broad spectrum of topics, including infectious disease forecasting, big-data astronomy, network science, equilibrium and nonequilibrium phenomena, scientific machine learning, generative modeling, and data-driven approaches to complexity. Although diverse in scope, these areas share a common objective: developing quantitative frameworks that enable deeper understanding, prediction, and control of phenomena across multiple spatial and temporal scales. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among scientists from diverse backgrounds, the program aims to bridge traditional scientific disciplines with emerging computational and data-centric methodologies. The presentations highlight how advances in theory, modeling, computation, and artificial intelligence are expanding the frontiers of basic science and creating new opportunities for discovery and innovation.

Programme Committee

DR. JHUN, Bukyoung (전부경)
Center for Critical Computational Studies, Goethe University Frankfurt
jhun@c3s.uni-frankfurt.de
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DR. CHEON, Hyejeong (천혜정)
Kartverket (The Norwegian mapping authority)
hyejeong.l.cheon@gmail.com hyejeong.cheon@kartverket.no
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Chemical Engineering and Materials Science play a central role in developing solutions for energy, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. These fields provide key insights ranging from the synthesis of new materials to advanced characterization techniques, supporting progress in areas such as mobility, electronics, and environmental technologies. At EKC 2026, the Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (CM) division will highlight recent advances and emerging research directions, with particular attention to the growing role of AI in materials and process innovation. The CM division consists of the following 8 sessions: • Electrocatalysis for Sustainable Energy Conversion • Beyond the Road: Diversified Battery Chemistries and Architectures for Next-Gen Applications • Hydrogen: Innovation and Beyond • Sustainable and Power-to-X Fuel Technologies • Characterization Techniques on Material Science • Advanced Functional Materials and Manufacturing with AI-Driven Approaches • Accelerating Materials Design using AI: From Simulations to Synthesis and Characterization • Next-Generation Batteries: From Fundamental Research to Application and Emerging Digital Innovations This division will serve as a platform for interdisciplinary discussions, bringing together researchers and industry professionals to explore how chemical engineering and materials science, empowered by AI, can drive the next generation of technological breakthroughs.

Programme Committee

DR. LEE, Jongmin (이종민)
Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)
jongmin.lee@empa.ch
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DR. PARK, Junbeom (박준범)
Institute of Energy Technologies - Fundamental Electrochemistry (IET-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), Germany
j.park@fz-juelich.de
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In the context of accelerating climate change and the global transition toward carbon neutrality, there is a growing need for integrated approaches that connect energy systems, industrial processes, and environmental sustainability. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven technologies are increasingly shaping how complex environmental and industrial systems are understood, monitored, and optimized. This division explores a broad range of topics at the intersection of AI, sustainability, and industrial transformation. Key themes include AI-based approaches to climate–ecosystem interactions, smart and green technologies for climate solutions, circular strategies for battery recycling and sustainable materials, safety and environmental assessment, clean manufacturing of metals, and sustainability assessment for circular transitions. The role of international collaboration in addressing global climate challenges is also emphasized. Bringing together researchers, engineers, environmental scientists, and policymakers, this division aims to foster interdisciplinary exchange and promote innovative, science-based solutions for a sustainable and climate-neutral future.

Programme Committee

PROF. PAEK, Min-kyu (백민규)
Clausthal University of Technology, Germany
min-kyu.paek@tu-clausthal.de
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PROF. LEE, Daye (이다예)
ESPCI Paris - PSL
daye.lee@espci.fr
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The Electrical, Electronics & Information Engineering Division at EKC 2026 brings together seven sessions exploring how AI is transforming the full technology stack, from semiconductor devices and RF/microwave hardware to intelligent systems, networks, and real-world applications. The programme covers AI-driven sensor platforms, 6G and AI-native communications, reasoning in computer science, neuro-symbolic AI, Physical AI, and advanced semiconductor and microwave technologies. Across these themes, the division highlights the growing importance of trustworthy, efficient, and application-aware AI in areas such as healthcare, manufacturing, infrastructure, robotics, and future communications. A dedicated session on EU-Korea collaboration further strengthens the division’s international dimension. Together, these sessions offer a forward-looking view of how AI is shaping science and engineering through deeper integration of hardware, intelligence, and global research partnerships.

Programme Committee

DR. CHOI, Heungjae (최흥재)
Cardiff University
ChoiH1@cardiff.ac.uk
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PROF. KANG, Myoung-ah (강명아)
University of Clermont-Auvergne
makang71@gmail.com
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The Life Science & Health (LH) division at EKC 2026 focuses on advancing our understanding of living systems and their implications for human health in the era of data-driven science. In alignment with the conference theme, “AI-Driven Future of Science and Technology,” this division highlights how artificial intelligence is transforming biological research, enabling deeper insights into complex life processes and disease mechanisms. The LH division emphasizes fundamental and integrative biology across multiple levels—from molecular and cellular systems to organisms and populations. By combining experimental approaches with computational and AI-based methods, researchers are uncovering new dimensions of biological complexity, improving our understanding of development, immunity, ageing, and disease progression. Distinct from engineering- and technology-centered approaches, the LH division centers on biology- and health-oriented research that generates foundational knowledge. It encompasses a wide range of fields, including molecular and cellular biology, systems biology, epidemiology, and population health, providing critical insights that inform future advances in medicine and healthcare. EKC 2026 will offer a platform for collaboration between Korean and European scientists, fostering the exchange of ideas at the intersection of biology, health, and AI. The program will cover diverse topics such as plant and environmental biology, infectious diseases, cancer biology, ageing, and data-driven life science research. Through these efforts, the LH division aims to contribute to a more predictive, integrative, and AI-enabled future of life sciences and global health. [Note] SESSION DETAILS AND PROGRAM ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Programme Committee

DR. JEONG, Hyun-woo (정현우)
Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine
zionjeong@gmail.com
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DR. YANG, Jae-seong (양재성)
Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), Barcelona, Spain
jaeseong.yang@cragenomica.es
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The Mechanical & Aerospace Division brings together European and Korean researchers, engineers, and industry leaders to address how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of mechanical and aerospace engineering. The division covers a broad spectrum of topics on integrating AI and data-driven approaches into the design, manufacturing, operations, and lifecycle management of complex engineered systems. Applications span widely, including robotics, space systems, production plants, air/ground/water vehicles, infrastructure, medical systems, and more. The sessions in this division are co-hosted by KERC.

Programme Committee

PROF. LEE, Jaemin (이재민)
University of Leeds
DR. LEE, Juseong (이주성)
Eindhoven University of Technology
Medical Science and Engineering is an interdisciplinary field bridging medicine, biology, and engineering. Driven by emerging technologies, innovative therapeutics, and data-driven approaches, the field aims to deepen our understanding of human health and disease while developing novel solutions that improve healthcare outcomes. From pharmaceutical sciences and biotechnology to biomedical engineering and clinical applications, this division highlights the transformative potential of integrating scientific discovery with engineering principles — with artificial intelligence and computational science increasingly serving as key drivers of innovation — to address critical global health challenges. At EKC2026, the ME division will present research spanning the frontiers of the field, including advances in biomaterials and their applications in therapeutics and drug delivery, innovative molecular and cellular strategies for immune modulation and genetic regulation, and the growing role of AI and data science in understanding, predicting, and combating infectious diseases and other health challenges. Across these themes, sessions will bridge fundamental discovery and translational impact, demonstrating how interdisciplinary approaches are accelerating the development of next-generation medical technologies and therapies. We invite abstract submissions across a broad range of topics including but not limited to: ● Medical Research & Biotechnology ● AI, Data Science & Computational Medicine ● Biomaterials, Nanomedicine & Drug Delivery ● Biomedical Engineering & Medical Devices ● Public Health & Global Medical Innovations Join us at EKC2026 to share your research and engage in discussions on how AI-driven interdisciplinary innovation is shaping the future of medicine and healthcare.

Programme Committee

DR. LYOO, Heyrhyoung (유혜령)
University of Leuven
erion.lyoo@kuleuven.be
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DR. PARK, Gayoung (박가영)
University of Turku
gapark@utu.fi
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The Marine and Ocean Engineering (MO) programme at EKC 2026 brings together international experts from academia, industry, and government to address the profound structural transformations in the maritime sector. Aligned with the conference theme, "AI-Driven Future of Science and Technology," the programme features six distinct yet interconnected sessions that explore the convergence of artificial intelligence, decarbonization, and advanced engineering. The programme opens with the SNAK-EKMOA Joint Session, which frames AI as a systemic integrator across the ship lifecycle—from production to operation. Discussions span how robotics and AI are redefining shipbuilding, digital process twins for optimizing marine fuel and carbon capture systems, and applied engineering challenges such as crew transfer vessel docking at offshore wind turbines and simplified numerical modelling for submarine collision and grounding analysis. The KRISO-EKMOA Joint Session focuses on maritime decarbonization and future ship safety in practice. Presentations cover the development of a remote operation system for multi-MASS operation, high-performance insulation systems for liquefied hydrogen carriage, ship energy efficiency through effective biofouling control management, and the evolving safety requirements for decarbonized and autonomous operations. The HDERC-EKMOA Joint Session highlights the role of AI and digitalisation in advancing autonomous and intelligent maritime operations. Topics include AI and digitalisation in production logistics, optimized onsite installation methods for floating offshore wind turbines, floating offshore wind layout optimization integrating geophysical and geotechnical data, and uncertainty quantification in ultra-short-term ship motion prediction using deep learning models in wave environments. The LR-EKMOA Joint Session emphasizes that marine safety and hydrodynamics remain fundamental to a safer world. It addresses assurance during the IMO MASS Code experience-building phase, lessons and opportunities from a decade of collaboration between Ecole Centrale de Nantes and Bureau Veritas, recommended practice for fatigue assessment of floating offshore solar platforms, lab-scale experimental studies on hydroelastic and shared mooring effects in floating offshore wind turbines, and developments towards safe and sustainable LH₂ carriers. The MMC Project-EKMOA Joint Session showcases policy and technology pathways for the alternative-fuel transition. Presentations cover international trends and domestic response strategies for seafarer education and training on alternative fuel ships, a scenario-based framework for developing a Korea-type green shipping corridor integrating alternative fuel supply chains and lifecycle assessment approaches, and KORIES-led key technology developments for eco-friendly ships. The programme concludes with the EKMOA S&T Session, which brings together cutting-edge research on AI-enabled and risk-aware ship engineering. Presentations cover AI-ready ship design through interoperability, numerical estimation of ship performance under actual sea conditions accounting for added resistance and required power across varying wave conditions, risk-aware and self-explainable AI agents for safety-critical operations of autonomous ships, and dynamic failure mode and effects analysis for the use of hydrogen as a marine fuel. Together, these sessions underscore the strategic importance of the Europe-Korea partnership. By integrating AI-driven innovation with rigorous engineering and practical demonstration, the EKC 2026 MO programme aims to shape a resilient, competitive, and sustainable maritime future.

Programme Committee

DR. JANG, Hayoung (장하영)
University of Strathclyde
hayoung.jang@strath.ac.uk
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DR. KWON, Bae Jun (권배준)
DNV AS
Bae.Jun.Kwon@dnv.com
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Welcome to the Nuclear and Fusion Technology (NF) Division at EKC 2026. This division serves as an academic hub for recent progress in both nuclear fusion and fission technologies—two of the most credible pathways toward a sustainable, carbon-free energy future. As the field moves from theoretical promise toward practical deployment, fission continues to provide reliable clean power, while controlled fusion is pursued as a long-term source of large-scale clean energy. The program is grounded in research abstracts submitted by leading international institutions, including KFE, Max Planck IPP, UKAEA, Cavendish Nuclear, IAEA, and the ITER Organization, along with a range of universities and industry partners. Together, the sessions connect fundamental physics with systems engineering and emerging AI integration, reflecting the field's response to growing global energy demand. Key Technical Sessions & Core Focus Areas: Historical Perspectives & Global Fusion Roadmaps: Opens the division with an overview of the origins of nuclear physics and the evolution of fusion research. The session reviews key milestones of international cooperation, presents updates on the revised ITER baseline configuration and research plans (IRP), and outlines South Korea's roadmap for the Compact Pilot Device (CPD) toward early fusion energy deployment. Magnetic Confinement Fusion & Advanced Engineering Systems: Focuses on plasma confinement and stability physics in advanced tokamak and optimized 3D stellarator configurations. The session covers developments in high-precision diagnostics and remote maintenance, and examines the integration of digital twins, disruption mitigation modeling, and agentic AI architectures intended to accelerate reactor design cycles. Advanced Fission Innovations & SMR/MSR Deployment: Examines the shifting European and UK civil nuclear landscapes alongside IAEA global projections for meeting rising energy demand. The session addresses Generation-IV systems, data-fusion architectures for real-time reactor monitoring, and commercialization frameworks for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) through public-private partnerships. The EKC 2026 NF Division provides a platform for exchange between public research initiatives and a growing private-sector ecosystem, with the aim of supporting the commercial development of these clean energy technologies. We look forward to your participation and to the technical discussions ahead.

Programme Committee

DR. KIM, Hyun-tae (김현태)
UK Atomic Energy Authority
hyun-tae.kim@ukaea.uk
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DR. RA, Ookjoo (라욱주)
ITER Organization
Ookjoo.RA@iter.org
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The role of women in science and technology has never been more vital as artificial intelligence and other emerging fields reshape the global innovation landscape. This year, the Women in Science and Technology (S&T) division explores how women are driving progress in AI, biotechnology, environmental sciences, and beyond, while also navigating the structural challenges that influence leadership pathways and long‑term career sustainability. Through discussions with industry experts, researchers, and policy advocates, the session will address essential themes such as inclusive and ethical AI development, work–life balance strategies in high‑intensity research environments, and the evolving expectations placed on women at the forefront of technological change. In addition to examining these systemic issues, the session will highlight successful mentorship models, cross‑sector collaboration, and networking strategies that empower the next generation of female scientists and engineers. By bringing together voices from academia, industry, and policymaking communities, we aim to generate actionable insights that strengthen gender diversity and equity in S&T. Participants will gain valuable perspectives on the future of AI, expand their professional networks, and engage in meaningful dialogue on building a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable scientific ecosystem.

Programme Committee

DR. CHO, Hyong Sil (조형실)
KOSEANL; EKWSEA; Speech into Language and Data (SiLnD)
hyongsil@gmail.com
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The Multidisciplinary Research Division facilitates discussions across diverse fields to tackle societal challenges that transcend the boundaries of a single discipline. In EKC2026, the MR division's main focus is to scrutinize, understand, and forecast the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) across various domains, including industries, policies, education, business, research, and quality of life.

Programme Committee

DR. HAH, Dooyoung (하두영)
Abdullah Gül University
dooyoung.hah@agu.edu.tr
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EKC 2026 is pleased to host poster presentations covering all areas of science, engineering, technology, and innovation. The Poster Display will be available from 09:00 on Tuesday, 21 July to 17:00 on Wednesday, 22 July 2026 in the Foyer Ariane (1st Floor), Centre de Congrès Pierre Baudis. The Poster Presentation Session, during which presenters will be available to discuss their work, will take place from 15:00 to 16:30 on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. We warmly encourage all participants to visit the posters, engage with the presenters, and exchange ideas. At the conclusion of the session, outstanding posters will be recognized with Best Poster Awards (during the closing banquet).