Applying Global Learning to Queer Activism Research in Seoul

Name
Sungwon Heo

Field of Study
Cultural Studies / Ph.D. Candidate

Virtual or In-Person
In-Person

Program Title, Location, Duration
Global Grad Grants, Research Track; Seoul, South Korea; 3 months

What motivated or led you to participate in your global learning program?
As a Ph.D. student studying contemporary South Korean queerness from a transnational perspective, I sought financial support for fieldwork on the activism of young queer activists following the recent declaration of martial law in South Korea. I became interested in the Global Grad Grant’s Research Track because it provides educational and financial support for a wide range of global research.

Beyond its educational and financial assistance, the program’s emphasis on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also caught my attention. This requirement pushed me to rethink my work from a new angle, questioning the applicability of my own approach.

What was your experience like in this program? What did you learn from your experience: interacting with other people and cultures; academics; addressing global challenges; and/or developing global skills and leadership?
During my three-month fieldwork in Seoul, I interviewed five young queer activists involved in protests against the recent martial law declaration. Through this experience, I came to recognize a mismatch between public narratives and participants’ lived realities. While media outlets celebrated the public courage of protestors, the complex life histories, personal hardships and emotional tolls interwoven with their activism remained largely untold. Exploring this underrepresented dimension became an important moment in both my academic and personal learning.

What was the most challenging part of your program and the most rewarding?
The most challenging aspect of in-depth interview research was building genuine rapport. The most rewarding part of my experience was also building trusting relationships with my research participants by sharing our heartfelt concerns regarding local queer activism.

The Global Grad Grant addresses common challenges in global learning through its required Global Leadership Certificate training. The program’s modules on cultural humility and—most importantly for my work—active listening provided practical techniques for conducting empathetic fieldwork. Applying these skills helped me navigate the challenges of forming meaningful relationships with participants.

What’s one of your most memorable experiences from your program?
My most memorable moments were the informal conversations that happened after the official interviews concluded. Because I conducted research in my participants’ own neighborhoods, they often invited me to their favorite local restaurants and bars to continue our discussions.

Since the participants were part of a close-knit group, these gatherings often grew into larger, unplanned events as they invited others to join. Blending into their community, I felt my role shift beyond that of a researcher. While remaining mindful of ethical boundaries, I knew I had been accepted as a temporary, yet reliable, member of their lived community.

What was a typical day like on your program?
A typical interview day began early. After reviewing my questions, I would travel up to two hours from my base outside Seoul to meet participants in their own neighborhoods. The semi-structured interviews lasted one-to-two hours and were, by nature, highly dynamic. I learned to adapt my questions in real time without overshadowing participants’ narratives.

Often, unrecorded stories shared after the formal interviews were useful for contextualizing the recorded conversations. My day usually concluded during the two-hour journey back to my base, as I jotted down key moments from the day’s experiences.

What advice do you have for someone considering your program or a global experience, in general?
For queer scholars of color like me, who research non-U.S.–based communities from U.S. institutions, transnational and global research requires critical ethical reflection. While engaging with underrepresented communities creates space for vibrant and unexpected exploration, it also carries an enduring responsibility. It is crucial to recognize the boundary between amplifying participants’ voices and overshadowing them with one’s own interpretations.

This balance requires persistent intellectual labor. You must create space for people to share their own stories while still taking full responsibility for the scholarly arguments that ultimately belong to you.

What was your biggest concern about participating in the program? Were you able to overcome that concern, and if so, how?
As a queer scholar of color, I have struggled with persistent imposter syndrome regarding the value and transferability of my research. While this program did not entirely erase that feeling, it alleviated my concerns. Conducting fieldwork and gathering a substantial body of tangible data served as concrete evidence against self-doubt.

Keep in mind that research on marginalized communities often begins with uncertainty, yet it illuminates underrepresented but vivid stories grounded in local contexts. The unique stories you document can offer important insights from a global perspective.

What is something you wish you had known before joining the program?
Beyond concerns related to conducting research outside the U.S., I wish I had anticipated two logistical challenges. First, participant recruitment can be unpredictable. I was fortunate, but I encourage future researchers to develop a detailed recruitment strategy with backup plans in consultation with their advisor.

Second, if your project involves human subjects, begin the Institutional Review Board approval process as early as possible. I had to prepare my proposal on a tight timeline. Knowing this earlier would have ensured a smoother transition into focused fieldwork.

How do you think your program experiences will benefit you in the future—academically, regarding future career goals, or personally?
Academically, my fieldwork supported by the Global Grad Grant will form part of my doctoral dissertation, serving as a defining project in my early academic career. Personally, the benefits extend beyond professional goals. The experience provided an invaluable opportunity to build a community of friends and peers in my research field. Having colleagues with whom I can share challenges and questions is a rare gift that will continue to support me as a queer person and activist-scholar.

Is there anything else you would like to share?
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Global Learning Hub and the Global Grad Grant committee for recognizing the value of my research, as well as to the Ann E. Pitzer Foundation for its generous sponsorship. Thanks to this support, I was able to proceed with greater confidence in the significance of my work.

To future applicants: be courageous and apply. Do not be discouraged by an initial rejection—use the application process as an opportunity to strengthen your research proposal and try again.