Meeting with advisor (8/29): Outline of dissertation

I brought my advisor one page of dissertation plan which shows research goals and outline (available at http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddfmw3gd_12fn8ccbdg&invite= ). We talked about this.

1. Overview of dissertation outline
I have not set specific and detailed topics. My working goal is to draw an energy profile of Korea and to do policy evaluation. While doing SDA, I hope to narrow down my topic. Energy intensity study is a potential candidate.

2. Direction of dissertation
My dissertation will be more like a policy analysis. The Korean government has adopted various energy policies to promote economic growth. I will see how the policies contributed on economic growth.

3. Next goals
I will start writing chapters of introduction and methodology.

4. The feeling of "am I doing something meaningful?"
Nowadays, I am often caught by this depressing feeling; I wonder whether I contribute something to the society. My advisor told me that it is usual feeling that every researcher experiences. His recommendation was to do what you think is right but know clearly the limitations of your research. That definitely helps. But there are too many limitations. Can I junt know the ultimate truth of everything? :-)

ISEE 2008 Nairobi Conference

Sunset at Amboseli national park, Kenya

I have been to the International Society for Ecological Economics 2008 Nairobi conference. I have to confess you that I went to the conference because I really wanted to see savanna and people in sub-Sahara. I felt guilty to present my research because I was awfully prepared. Oh, well, I believe many participants of the conference might have the same idea for the conference... At least, my crew from our department had the same plan. :-)

Anyway, safari trip was great! We all enjoyed it. Conference itself, which was held at UNEP facilities, was interesting, and I could learn from many big figures. Max-Neef was there and gave a keynote speech.

Here are links to photo albums that I took during safari.

(1) Masai Mara


(2) Lake Nakuru


(3) Amboseli


(4) Scenery


(Most of them are animal pictures)