How did you first become interested in education and comparative and international education?   

I have always been interested in education, but it was during my undergraduate years that I decided to examine it critically from a comparative and international perspective. As an international student from South Korea studying in the US, it seemed to me that the purposes and functions of education were perceived and practiced differently across countries. This realization made me explore what aspects of politics, society, history, and culture shape divergent developments and consequences in education policy. Additionally, before my Ph.D., I worked at the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI), a government-funded policy research institute that closely collaborates with the Korean Ministry of Education on national education policy development, implementation, and evaluation. At KEDI, I observed how evidence-based policymaking has been emphasized by policy actors, and subsequently became interested in examining how education policies are shaped by knowledge within and across geographical, institutional, and systemic boundaries.

What were the most challenging and rewarding parts of your doctoral journey at TC? 

Collaborating and interacting with amazing faculty, colleagues, and students has been the most rewarding part of my doctoral journey. I am deeply indebted to my dissertation sponsor, Gita Steiner-Khamsi, who has provided unwavering support as well as critical insights and feedback through every stage of my studies. Her curiosity, enthusiasm, and love of knowledge have inspired me to become a better scholar each and every day. Furthermore, Oren Pizmony-Levy, who lives by example through his passionate teaching and scholarship, always kept his door open for me, and I am truly grateful for our countless stimulating brainstorming sessions. I have also learned immensely from other faculty, colleagues, and students through various research projects and teaching. 

The most challenging part was creating a large bibliometric network database drawing on policy documents from the US, Norway, and South Korea and conducting interviews in the three countries with distinctive policy arrangements for my dissertation project. I would like to thank Gita Steiner-Khamsi, Oren Pizmony-Levy, Kirsten Sivesind, Berit Karseth, Bernadette Hörmann, Venke Sortland, and Darren Rabinowitz for their support and help in data collection and my interview participants for their honest and generous cooperation.

How did your experience at TC prepare you for your career? 

TC has prepared me for my career in so many ways, but mainly through its courses, research projects with faculty, and teaching opportunities. TC has offered many interesting courses taught by supportive and engaging faculty members known for cutting-edge research. I have had opportunities to explore various theoretical and methodological approaches in the disciplines and topics related to my research interests. Also, during my doctoral studies, I collaborated closely with Gita Steiner-Khamsi and Oren Pizmony-Levy on research projects (e.g., POLNET, The Public Matters). This research experience has helped me mature as a scholar with a substantial theoretical foundation and refined research skills. Last but not least, I served as the lab instructor for a quantitative analysis course (ITSF 4101) with Oren and the teaching assistant for a comparative policy studies class (ITSF 5199) with Gita. Not only did I greatly enjoy teaching what I was passionate about, but I could also improve my pedagogy to meet the individual needs and interests of each student. These experiences have also been recognized with multiple awards (e.g., CIES Globalization & Education SIG Best Dissertation Award, KAERA Outstanding Research Paper Award, and Morton T. Embree Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning).

I would love to hear about the path that led you from being a doctoral student at TC to first, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oslo and then to an Assistant Professor of Comparative and International Education at the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and the Academic Director of NORRAG. 

My path has been guided by my research interests in comparative education policy and “evidence”-based policymaking. I feel very fortunate that I have worked with highly seasoned, enthusiastic, and supportive colleagues along the way. After the completion of my Ph.D., I started my position as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Oslo. In my postdoctoral project, our team compares why and how evidence has been produced, used, and translated in recent education reforms in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. In the fall, I will join the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies as an assistant professor of comparative and international education and the academic director of NORRAG. My appointment will be in the International Relations/Political Science Department, with a courtesy appointment in the Anthropology and Sociology Department. At the Geneva Graduate Institute, I will continue to critically assess the claims made about evidence-based policymaking around the world and to work closely with students from various backgrounds with various interests.

What advice would you give to our current and prospective students? 

I encourage everyone to find a research topic that truly inspires their passion. This passion for your research topic will help you achieve balance throughout the inevitable ups and downs of doctoral studies. Also, I want to emphasize that it is important to be true to one’s self and to have faith (fight against the imposter syndrome!).