NEST Scholars
2026 Dr. Minyoung Kim
Dr. Minyoung Kim is currently a lecturer at Yonsei University and earned her PhD in Sociology from the University of California, Irvine, in 2024. Her dissertation, From Personal Grief to Social Action: Bereaved Families’ Activism in Neoliberal South Korea, examines how individuals who have lost family members in disasters gradually become social movement actors, seeking systemic change to improve public safety. Her work has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including Journal of Korean Studies, Sociological Perspectives, and Situations. Her article “Evolving Emotion, Situated Context, and Movement Activism” received the 2024 Graduate Paper Award from the American Sociological Association’s Sociology of Emotions Section.
During her three weeks in Lund, Dr. Kim delivered a public lecture, gave guest lectures and seminars in classes, and led a professionalization workshop with PhD students at the Centre. She also visited the Centre for East Asian Studies at the University of Turku, where she presented her research. During her stay, she was also interviewed by the Association of Foreign Affairs in Lund.
Below, Dr. Kim reflects on her time in Lund:
What were the highlights of your three weeks in Lund?
The absolute highlight of my stay was my public lecture. It was wonderful to engage with an audience so sincerely interested in Korea’s youth, protests, and the “affect” within those movements. I was struck by how similar political circumstances and social phenomena are shared across Asian and Nordic countries. It created a meaningful space to discuss society well beyond the Korean context.
Did you feel integrated into the Centre’s scholarly community?
Yes, very much so. I felt incredibly welcomed, both through having a dedicated office space and through opportunities to engage with students and faculty over dinners. A standout moment was celebrating Dr. Chontida Auikool’s defense together. Seeing the community exchange letters and gifts showed me how warm and supportive the Centre truly is.
How was the visit to the Nordic partner university?
My visit to the University of Turku was eye-opening. I was impressed by the students’ deep knowledge of Korean social movements, which was a delightful surprise on my first visit to Finland. The four-hour dinner conversation with Professor Sabine Burghart was also a personal highlight.
Advice for the next NEST scholar?
Lund is a very welcoming place, so do not hesitate to approach faculty and students, even outside the Centre, who share your research interests. It is a fantastic opportunity to expand your network. Practically speaking, make sure you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, as Sweden is almost entirely cashless. Finally, keep in mind that many people head home around 4:00 p.m. in Sweden, so plan ahead for those long evenings and make the most of your time in Lund.
