Hwanhee Kim

Hwanhee Kim is a Research Fellow and doctoral student in the Department of Korean Studies at the University of Tübingen's Faculty of Humanities. His work bridges sociology and education, focusing on how young people in South Korea form political identities amid social uncertainty and precarity.

Kim's academic background includes:

• Doctoral Student in Korean Studies, University of Tübingen (since April 2025)
• Master of Arts in Korean Language Education, Korea National University of Education (2024)
• Master of Arts in Sociology, Sungkonghoe University (2013)
• Bachelor of Arts in English Education, Jeonju National University of Education (2006)

Kim's research examines the intersection of education, politics, and social change in contemporary Korea, with particular attention to how structural inequalities manifest in educational settings. His dual training in sociology and education informs his unique perspective on youth political engagement and gender conflicts within Korean schools. Before academia, he worked for over a decade as a public elementary school teacher and was active in civic movements addressing urban dispossession and educational inequality.

His scholarly output reveals a progression from analyses of urban activism and state power toward focused studies on Korean education and literature. His publications address transformative moments in Korean society including the Sewol Ferry disaster and the pandemic, demonstrating how educational systems respond to societal crises. His work consistently connects theoretical insights with practical implications for Korean educational policy and practice.

His recognition includes:

• Outstanding Thesis Award from Korea National University of Education

Kim founded Inmuyeon, a humanities research collective active since 2017, which shapes his collaborative approach to scholarship. His professional activities bridge academic research with practical engagement in social issues, maintaining office hours on Thursdays 16-18h at Wilhelmstr. 133, Raum 40, University of Tübingen.