Dafna Zur

Dafna Zur is an Associate Professor at Stanford University in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, with a courtesy appointment in Comparative Literature. She has served as Director of the Center for East Asian Studies (2019-2025) and Director of Undergraduate Studies (2017-present), while teaching courses on Korean literature, cinema, and popular culture.

• Education: Ph.D. in Asian Studies (2011), M.A. in Asian Studies (2002), B.A. in Asian Studies and General Studies (1998)

Her research examines Korean children's literature and postcolonial cultural identity, with a focus on moral education in science fiction, cinematic childhood representations, and K-pop's transnational influence. She explores intersections of science and literature in East Asia, analyzing youth magazines and state-sponsored translation projects.

Recent publications include work on North Korea's Anne Frank translation and Hebrew K-pop fan practices. She supervises graduate students and advises the Stanford Ethics Program (2013-2014). Awards include the Korea Times Translation Award and multiple Korea Foundation scholarships.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Korea Foundation Fellowships (1998-2010)
  • 35th Korea Times Translation Award (2004)
  • New Translator Award, KLTI (2004)
  • Outstanding Paper, Worldwide Consortium for Korean Studies (2009)