Irina R.Kuklina, Executive Director, ICISTE

Graduated from the faculty of psychology of Leningrad State University, followed by experimental work and lecturing at Kazan State University and then later coordination of international socio-economic projects in Russian regions, including European part of Russia, Siberia, Far East, Baikal region and Yakutia. International collaboration experience includes cooperation on STI policy and programs with European countries, Asia, USA, and responsibility for UK-Russia STI cooperation innovation at the British Council. In 2005-2008 - the adviser on international STI policy cooperation to FASIE and State Agency for Science and Innovation.

Acted as an expert in bilateral STI Committees, Technology Platforms, Russian National Innovation Award, UNIDO, EU groups, GSO meetings, BRICS, etc.

Since 2006 - an Executive Director of the International Centre for Innovation in Science, Technology and Education (ICISTE), established in response to raising demand for specialists in the sphere of international STI policy cooperation. ICISTE leads on the development and implementation of international STI programs with Russia, including the development of co-funding mechanisms for STI matching calls, as well as acts as a BRICS STI Secretariat for Russia.

Areas of interest also include science diplomacy, popularization of science and international STI policy.