Chisato Saito
- Research Administrator
- Research Promotion Division (International Collaboration)

Current roles & responsibilities
- #International Collaboration
- #International Researcher Support
- #KU ASEAN Center
- #Private Grants
- #Project Management
Specialized field/skill
Arts, British Cultural Studies, Foreign Language Education, Support to International Academics and International Exchange Projects
Message for researchers
I am in charge of international affairs at KURA. Especially I provide wide range of grant-related information in English over mailing list, seminars, and private meetings towards international scholars on campus. In addition, I work for various modes of academic collaboration conducted with ASEAN partner institutions.
What inspired me to become a research administrator (URA)
When I was a graduate student, I realized my passion to assist international conferences and researchers. This naturally led me to work for a leading funding agency and universities as a full-time research administrator. For the past 12 years+, I gained rich experience of managing academic events and large-scale research projects.
Academic & Professional Background
- B.A. (Integrated Human Studies), Faculty of Integrated Human Studies, Kyoto University
- M.A. (British Cultural Studies), University of Warwick
- M.A. (Human and Environmental Studies), Graduate School of Human and Environment Studies, Kyoto University
- Staff, International Division and General Affairs Division, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Research Administrator, Global Scientific Information and Computing Center, Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Assistant Director and Research Administrator, Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Personal Note
In my free time, I enjoy practicing foreign languages and calligraphy. For over 30 years I have been experimenting various styles of calligraphy ranging from traditional Chinese, Japanese and contemporary. With other calligraphers, we organized a series of exhibitions in Hokkaido, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. My mission is to introduce the beauty of calligraphic art to more friends world-wide!
In a way, research administration and calligraphy have a lot in common. I am required to translate technical terms into simple ones, so that anybody from various backgrounds and disciplines can interpret the key concept underneath. Yes, I would like to be more understanding and creative!