Mission
Not answers, but new questions. We design them.
Science and technology have powered Korea’s growth.
Today, we stand at a new crossroads—not simply following the path laid by others,
but ready to create our own way forward.
This is no longer a time to just follow maps.
It’s a time to draw new maps, to explore uncharted ground with courage and imagination.
And that starts with asking bold, challenging questions.
At the Institute for Future Strategy(IFS) of Seoul National University(SNU),
we propose what we call GrandQuests:
problems that are hard to solve,
that may seem out of reach,
but if solved, would reshape entire fields and industries.
GrandQuests are not problems that can be solved by working harder along the same path. They are problems that require us to imagine new paths entirely.
These questions will:
- inspire the next generation of innovators,
- and guide industries seeking new frontiers.
The future isn’t something we wait for.
It’s something we build together.
We invite you to discover new possibilities and hope through GrandQuests.
People
The Team Behind GrandQuests
Project Director
Jeong-Dong Lee
Professor, Department of Applied Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Practice, SNU
SNU Institute for Future Strategy, Future of Science and Technology Research Cluster Leader
SNU Institute for Future Strategy, Future of Science and Technology Research Cluster Leader
Advisory Board
Doh-Yeon Kim
Chairman, Taejae Education Foundation
Professor Emeritus, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, SNU
Professor Emeritus, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, SNU
Sang-Yup Lee
Professor, Department of Bio and Chemical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Jun-ho Lee
Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, SNU
Taeghwan Hyeon
Distinguished Professor (Chair Professor), Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, SNU
Joon-ho Kang
Dean, College of Education, SNU
Sukjae Lee
Professor, Department of Philosophy, SNU
Sungroh Yoon
Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, SNU
Minkyung Baek
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, SNU
Research Cluster
Joonhwan Lee
Professor, Department of Communication, SNU
Jongsu Lee
Professor, Department of Applied Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Practice, SNU
Junghye Lee
Associate Professor, Department of Applied Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Practice, SNU
Operations Director
Hayoung Park
SNU Institute for Future Strategy, Senior Researcher
Operations Team
Wenhui Jin · Hanbin Kim · EunWon Park · Saerom Si · Soohyoung Lee · Seungmin Lee
JooMin Lee · Sungjun Choi
Technology Management, Economics and Policy Program, SNU
History
Where we are now: from 2022 to 2025
2025
2024
2023
2022
Philosophy of the Logo
The GrandQuests logo is a visual symbol of the power to redesign structures through questions.
It integrates the letter G, representing structure, with the letter q (a question mark), symbolizing inquiry.The logo depicts a question (q) emerging from within a structured exploration (G), breaking through and pushing beyond that structure.
Designed as an open structure, the logo embodies GrandQuests' core values of expandability, openness, and evolutionary potential.
Design Keywords
| Open G | A flexible and open-ended structure that embraces possibility rather than closure. |
| q = question mark (?) | Born within the G, but directed outward—questions act as catalysts for transformation. |
| Tail toward the exit | The dynamic energy of a question breaking through and expanding beyond existing structures. |
| Dot at the bottom | A seed of evolution—the starting point for the next question to emerge. |