Hi, I'm Jiwon!

I am a Ph.D. student at the Institute of Communications Research at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. My research interests broadly encompass Transnational & Feminist STS, East Asian technocultures, and AI ethics – with current projects delving into AI ethics, the shifting notions of intimacy and creativity, and the emergence of and resistance to Western tech forces in East Asian spaces. I am deeply engaged in critical examinations of historical and contemporary narratives, thinking about the repercussions of colonialism, capitalism, and liberal humanism, with a particular focus on how these forces shape and are shaped by hyperproductionist technocultural advancements in East Asia. 

I hold an M.A. in Communication from Seoul National University, and a B.S. in Media, Culture, and Communication from New York University. In my spare time, I like to travel, and geek out over K-pop and musical theatre. I also love spending time outdoors - on picnics, hikes, beaches! I was born and raised in Seoul, but have also spent a good chunk of my life in New Jersey, Manhattan, and Orlando.