Yeong-Hyun Kim

Yeong-Hyun Kim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at Ohio University's College of Arts and Sciences. His research and teaching focus on globalization, economic and urban geography, with a strong regional emphasis on Asia and international migration.

Research Interests: Dr. Kim's research explores the dynamics of globalization, world-city politics, diasporic communities, and international labor migration. He is particularly interested in the return migration of ethnic Koreans from Northeast China to South Korea and the spatial exclusion of Southeast Asian migrant workers in Seoul. His work also examines local economic development strategies in industrial cities like Cleveland, focusing on immigration as a revitalization tool.

Publications and Research Trends: His scholarly output centers on urban transformation under globalization, migration governance, and the socio-spatial experiences of migrants in East Asian cities. His publications reveal a consistent focus on the interplay between global economic forces and urban development, especially in non-Western metropolises. He frequently investigates how cities negotiate cosmopolitanism, inclusion, and economic revitalization in the face of demographic and economic challenges.

• Scientific Awards:
• National Geographic Research Grant (awarded twice)

Advising and Grants: Dr. Kim has advised multiple Master’s students in Geography, Asian Studies, and International Development Studies, supervising theses on topics such as urban competitiveness, foreign aid, and transnational place-making. He has secured external funding through two competitive National Geographic research grants, supporting fieldwork on diaspora identity and migrant integration in South Korea.

Labs and Teams: While no formal lab is mentioned, Dr. Kim conducts qualitative research involving personal interviews with migrant communities in Seoul and engages in collaborative academic projects, often contributing to edited volumes on global urbanism and migration studies.