Jung-Sook Lee

Associate Professor Jung-Sook Lee is a faculty member in the School of Social Sciences at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Recognised among Stanford’s Top 2% Researchers in Social Work (2021) and Education (2023), she leads interdisciplinary projects on child well-being, educational equity, and multicultural practice.

Education

• Ph.D. & M.S.W., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
• M.Ed. & B.A., Seoul National University, South Korea

Research Interests

Her work centres on breaking cycles of intergenerational disadvantage through evidence-based social and educational policies. Using quantitative and mixed-methods designs, she explores how poverty, cultural capital, and institutional structures shape children’s life chances. Key themes include:

• Educational equity and social justice
• Home-school partnerships in multicultural contexts
• Outcomes for vulnerable children and families
• Policy evaluation and program effectiveness

Research Trends

Across her 2021–2025 publications, Lee bridges sociology of education, social work, and public policy to interrogate fairness perceptions, Indigenous parent engagement, and the impacts of national assessments such as NAPLAN. Her recent studies increasingly integrate technology and culturally responsive frameworks to foster inclusive school environments.

Scientific Awards & Fellowships

• Stanford Top 2% Researcher (Social Work, 2021; Education, 2023)
• LSAY Research Innovation and Expansion Fund Fellowship (2008-2009)
• Spencer Fellowship in Education Policy Research (2005-2007)
• Fulbright Scholarship (2003-2005)

Grants & HDR Supervision

Lee has secured over AUD $720,000 in ARC Linkage grants and international funding, leading large teams on projects such as Lost in Transition: Young People with Complex Support Needs and Long-term Outcomes of Forgotten Australians. She currently supervises four PhD candidates researching fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, Indigenous family-school partnerships, disability-inclusive education, and school counsellor self-efficacy.

Professional Service & Engagement

She serves on editorial boards including Children and Youth Services Review and is an active member of The Australian Sociological Association and the Australian Association for Research in Education. Her media contributions span The Australian, TES Magazine, and Impact: Journal of the Chartered College of Teaching.