Research 

My research interests encompass the sociology of education, international comparative education, rural education, and educational policy analysis/program evaluation. Taking an institutional perspective, which posits that social stratification can vary across countries based on the institutional arrangements of national educational systems, cultural factors, and policy environments, my research explores variations in the mechanisms and processes of social stratification across different countries and geographic contexts using extensive national and international datasets. My work also emphasizes the rigorous assessment and evaluation of educational policies and school interventions, particularly in relation to unique populations and contexts such as socioeconomically disadvantaged students, special education students, and rural students. I believe that these two research avenues are equally crucial because understanding the mechanisms and processes of social stratification can provide valuable insights for designing effective educational policies and programs tailored to support unique populations and contexts. While much of my early work focused on South Korea, my home country, my recent research is not confined to South Korea but increasingly concentrates on the United States and other East Asian societies.