Could you introduce the activities and research conducted by the Institute of Communication and Public Discourse (ICP)? 

Our institute primarily focuses on providing educational programs that cater to the needs of students, rather than conducting academic research. For instance, we offer a writing education program and organize SF-related activities, such as creative writing workshops and events featuring SF authors. Additionally, we host humanities lectures, including those led by Professor Park No-ja, as well as special lectures on social communication to foster active student participation.

What role do you play at the institute? Could you share a particularly memorable or rewarding experience?

I joined the institute as a postdoctoral researcher after completing my Ph. D. in modern poetry. Currently, I oversee the institute’s operations, which include program planning, inviting speakers, and managing events. Our institute is run by a team of three: the director, an administrative coordinator, and myself. Given my academic background in poetry, I am particularly passionate about designing poetry-related programs. Two notable initiatives I launched are “Dasangchangmun” and “Poetry and Compass.” Dasangchangmun is a program held during the semester break where participants develop their creativity by writing within specific constraints. Poetry and Compass involves reading two poetry collections over two weeks, culminating in a session where participants critique and share their own poetic creations. This program has been especially rewarding as it allows me, as a practicing poet, to offer practical guidance to students pursuing creative writing.

Could you give us a brief overview of the upcoming 3rd POSTECH SF Day?

POSTECH SF Day aims to make science fiction more accessible, not only to the university community but also to Pohang residents. For this third event, we have invited author Hansaniga and director Kwon Hanseul. Hansaniga will present a talk on the creative process behind their web novel AI Doctor, while Director Kwon, who won the Grand Prize at the Dubai International AI Film Festival, will discuss his use of AI in filmmaking and the deeper meaning behind his works. Attendees will also have the opportunity to watch his award-winning film “One More Pumpkin.” It promises to be a fascinating event for anyone interested in AI and science fiction.

Are there any lesser-known programs at the institute that you would like to recommend to POSTECH students? 

I would recommend all of our programs because they are each unique and valuable in their own way. For students interested in science fiction, the SF Reading Club is an excellent choice. For those drawn to creative writing, Dasangchangmun or Poetry and Compass would be highly suitable. Each program has its own character, so I encourage students to explore what resonates most with them. Detailed descriptions are available on our institute’s website. To make our programs more widely known, we recently launched an Instagram account (@postech_icp) where we regularly share updates about our events. I hope students will take advantage of this platform to stay informed and participate actively.