Armin Spök studied Biology with a focus on molecular genetics at the University of Graz and Science and Technology Policy at the University of Sussex. After several years of lab bench research in molecular genetics he became researcher and project manager at IFZ in 1993. Since 1998 he is Head of the Research Unit 'Modern Biotechnology', from 1999 to 2013 he was a member of the Board of Management. From 2012 to 2017 he was researcher and lecturer at the Institute of Science, Technology and Society Studies at Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt. Since 2018 he is Senior Scientist at the Science, Technology and Society Unit at Graz University of Technology.
His recent research and scientific advisory work focuses on scientific, regulatory and policy aspects of environmental and health risk assessment of biotechnology, including genetically modified plants and microorganisms as well as food, feed, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, cosmetics and other products derived from them. Participatory approaches are frequently included in the design of these projects. From 1997 to 2003 he also coordinated the Biotechnology Information Centre INFOgen that has been active in initiating further education in the context of the biotechnology debate.
Armin Spök was or still is member of expert advisory groups at the European Food Safety Authority and the OECD and occasional advisor in various national and international contexts (e.g. FAO, Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, SCAR-CWG GMO).
Risk governance and technology assessment in biotechnology including related policy aspects of food safety and biotechnology