Ohjae Gowen

Ohjae Gowen is a full-time Assistant Professor of Sociology at the School of Social Sciences, Singapore Management University (SMU), transitioning to Seoul National University in September 2025. His research examines childrearing responsibility distribution across families, states, and markets, focusing on gendered roles in parental labor and their societal implications.

• PhD in Sociology, Harvard University (2024)
• MA in Sociology, Seoul National University (2017) and Harvard University (2021)
• B.A. in Sociology, Seoul National University (2015)

His work combines quantitative methods with longitudinal data to analyze work-family dynamics, gender inequality, and demographic behaviors across the U.S., South Korea, and other Asian countries. Recent publications in Social Forces, Sociological Science, and European Sociological Review highlight his focus on gendered labor disparities and low fertility trends.

Ohjae’s research integrates regional expertise in East Asian and post-industrial societies, emphasizing the interplay between family structures, labor markets, and policy frameworks. He plans to expand his empirical work to broader Asian contexts while maintaining methodological rigor.