Today we operate in both challenging and exciting times:  global economic collapse, climate change limiting the availability of natural resources and generating democratic movements such as the Arab spring, demanding structural changes in governance. These changing environments generate global complex opportunities that require creative multidisciplinary approaches, employing people from a variety of professions and cultural backgrounds.

In this context it is important to understand scientifically, govern culturally and implement politically.

I thrive on challenges and believe a multidimensional problem provides opportunities for creative solutions!

Dr. Yasemin Koç

Photograph by Sylvie Borel

Photograph by Sylvie Borel

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

February 2014- to date: Director, Aries Collaborations Ltd., United Kingdom

  • Facilitation of science and innovation workshops

  • Monitoring and evaluation of education, innovation, science and research landscapes

  • Capacity building in science and innovation

 

January 2014- September 2017: Innovation Advisor (part-time), British Council, London, UK

  • Provision of sector advice (innovation players, concepts and projects)

  • Relationship building and partnership development with international innovation community

  • Product/project scoping, identification and early stage development of innovation opportunities

  • Income generation

 

2012 December – January 2014: Head of Science and Innovation, the Gulf,  MENA Higher Education Department, British Council, Doha, Qatar

  • Analysis of Higher Education systems in Gulf Countries

  • Contribution to National Innovation Strategies

  • Identification and initiation of partnership opportunities with Qatari and non-Qatari key stakeholders in academia, business and government

 

2009 January – 2012 November: Advisor for science communication and innovation, Science department, British Council, London, UK

  • Provision of specialist and sector advice; key contact in science communication and innovation throughout the corporation

  • Relationship building and partnership development with the international science community

  • Product/project scoping, identification and early stage development of opportunities

  • business development

 

2008 March –  2009 January: Business Analyst, Operations and Control Department, JP Morgan, London, UK

  • Development, management and implementation of finance monitoring systems

  • Supervision of operational merger processes

2003 June – 2008 March: Team Leader, Microfluidics group, Imperial College, London, UK

  • Supervision of research team (20 peers)

  • Income generation

  • Development of monitoring and evaluation systems

EDUCATIONAL DETAILS

2003 - 2008  PhD:

"Polymerase Chain Reaction on continuous flow Microfuildic devices", Imperial College London, UK 

2002 - 2003  MSc:

“Fourier Transform Infrared Dichroism Studies on Polyurethanes", Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston, USA

1996 - 2002    

Undergraduate in Physical and Analytical Chemistry Department at University of  Technology, Vienna

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

  • Gender markers in climate change projects, Climate Investment Fund, African Development Bank, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, (October 2019)

  • French language course, French Lycee, London, UK (May 2018)

  • Personal Development for effective facilitation, The Leela Foundation, Berlin, Germany (June 2016)

  • The Psychology of facilitating workshops, The Gestalt Centre, London, UK (January 2016)

  • Developing effective group facilitation skills, The Gestalt Centre, London, UK (November 2015)

  • Technology Transfer Training, Praxis Unico, London, UK (October 2015)

  • Business planning and turning vision into reality, The Centre, London, UK (February 2015)

  • Technical and business Writing, Verve Training, London (September 2012)

  • Presentation with impact, Impact Factory, London, UK (August 2011)

  • DELF A2, Diplome d’etudes en langue francaise, French Lycee, London, UK (June 2012)

  • Evaluation of Science and Innovation Policies, Manchester Institute of Innovation, UK (May 2012)

  • French language course, French Lycee, London, UK (April 2010 – to date)

  • BBC Media Training, London, UK, (September 2010)

  • Project Management, Learning Tree International, London, UK (June 2009)