Bio

Gi-Wook Shin is the William J. Perry Professor of Contemporary Korea in Sociology; senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies; the director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center since 2005; and the founding director of the Korea Program, all at Stanford University. As a historical-comparative and political sociologist, his research has concentrated on social movements, nationalism, development, democracy, and international relations.

Shin is the author/editor of twenty-five books and numerous articles. His recent books include Korean Democracy in Crisis: The Threat of Illiberalism, Populism, and Polarization (2022); The North Korean Conundrum: Balancing Human Rights and Nuclear Security (2021); Demographics and Innovation in the Asia-Pacific (2021); Shifting Gears in Innovation Policy from Asia (2020); Strategic, Policy and Social Innovation for a Post-Industrial Korea: Beyond the Miracle (2018); Superficial Korea (2017); Divergent Memories: Opinion Leaders and the Asia-Pacific War (2016); Global Talent: Skilled Labor as Social Capital in Korea (2015); Criminality, Collaboration, and Reconciliation: Europe and Asia Confronts the Memory of World War II (2014); New Challenges for Maturing Democracies in Korea and Taiwan (2014); Asia’s Middle Powers? (2013); Troubled Transition: North Korea's Politics, Economy, and External Relations (2013); History Textbooks and the Wars in Asia: Divided Memories (2011); South Korean Social Movements: From Democracy to Civil Society (2011); One Alliance, Two Lenses: U.S.-Korea Relations in a New Era (2010); Cross Currents: Regionalism and Nationalism in Northeast Asia (2007); Rethinking Historical Injustice and Reconciliation in Northeast Asia (2006); and Ethnic Nationalism in Korea: Genealogy, Politics, and Legacy (2006). Due to the wide popularity of his publications, many have been translated and distributed to Korean audiences. His articles have appeared in academic journals including American Journal of Sociology, Comparative Studies in Society and History, Political Science Quarterly, International Sociology, Nations and Nationalism, Pacific Affairs, Asian Survey, and Journal of Democracy.

Shin is currently writing two books– Next Korea (in Korean and English) and Talent Giants in the Asia-Pacific Century. The former is based on his monthly columns published in Shindonga, Korea’s oldest monthly magazine, that addressed main challenges and solutions for Korea’s future. The latter is a comparative study of talent strategies of Japan, Australia, China, and India that were instrumental to their rise. In Summer 2023, Shin will launch the Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab (SNAPL) which is a new initiative committed to addressing emergent social, cultural, economic, and political challenges in Asia. Across four research themes– “Talent Flows and Development,” “Nationalism and Racism,” “U.S.-Asia Relations,” and “Democratic Crisis and Reform”–the lab will bring scholars on Asia to produce interdisciplinary, problem-oriented, policy-relevant, and comparative studies and publications.

Shin is not only the recipient of numerous grants and fellowships, but also continues to actively raise funds for Korean/Asian studies at Stanford. He gives frequent lectures and seminars on topics ranging from Korean nationalism and politics to Korea's foreign relations and historical reconciliation in Northeast Asia and to talent strategies. He serves on councils and advisory boards in the United States and South Korea and promotes policy dialogue between the two allies. He regularly writes op-eds and gives interviews to the media in both Korean and English.

Before coming to Stanford in 2001, Shin taught at the University of Iowa (1991-94) and the University of California, Los Angeles (1994-2001). After receiving his BA from Yonsei University in Korea, he was awarded his MA and PhD from the University of Washington in 1991.

Academic Appointments

Administrative Appointments

  • Founding Director, Korea Studies Program (2001 - Present)
  • Director, Walter H. Shorenstein Asia Pacific Research Center (S-APARC) (2005 - Present)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Guest Columnist, Sindonga (in Korean)- “Shin’s Reflections on Korea” (English) (2022 - 2023)
  • Guest Columnist, Munhwa Daily (Korea) (2018 - 2020)
  • Member, Global Advisory Board, Jeju Forum (2018 - Present)
  • Guest Columnist, The Korea Times (USA) (2017 - 2019)
  • Guest Columnist, Maeil Economic Daily (2016 - 2017)
  • Guest Columnist, Nikkei Asian Review (2014 - 2015)
  • Guest Columnist, Dong-a Ilbo (2013 - 2014)
  • Senior Advisor to the Center for Asia-Pacific Future Studies, Kyushu University (Japan) (2014 - 2015)
  • Member of the Editorial Collective, Positions: East Asia Cultures Critique (1992 - 2008)
  • Member, Evaluation Committee, Chong Moon Lee Scholarship (2002 - 2003)
  • Guest Columnist, The Korea Times (US and San Francisco editions) (2002 - 2002)
  • Member, Overseas Advisory Board, Institute of Modern Korean Studies (Seoul, Korea) (1997 - 2001)
  • Member, Faculty Advisory Committee for East Asian Library, UCLA (1995 - 2001)
  • Member, Faculty Advisory Committee for the Center for Korean Studies, UCLA (1994 - 2001)
  • Member of the Editorial Advisory Committee, Tradition and Modernity and Trends and Perspectives (Seoul, Korea) (1997 - 2000)
  • Colloquium Coordinator, the Center for Korean Studies, UCLA (1997 - 2000)

Program Affiliations

  • Center for East Asian Studies

Professional Education

  • Ph.D., University of Washington, Sociology (1991)
  • M.A., University of Washington, Sociology (1985)
  • B.A., Yonsei University, Sociology (1983)

Contact

  • Academic
    gwshin@stanford.edu
    University - Faculty Department: FSI - S-APARC Position: Senior Fellow
    • ENCINA HALL
    • Stanford,  California  94305-6055 
    (650) 723-6530 (fax)
    University - Faculty Department: Sociology Position: Professor (650) 723-6530 (fax)

Additional Info

Links

Current Research and Scholarly Interests

Korean democratization; Korean nationalism; U.S.-Korea relations; North Korean politics; reconciliation and cooperation in Northeast Asia; global talent; multiculturalism; inter-Korean relations

Projects

  • Asia-Pacific Wars: Elite Memory in China, Japan, Korea, and America, Shorenstein APARC (2008 - Present)

    Location

    China, Japan, Korea

    Collaborators

    • Daniel C. Sneider, Associate Director for Research, Shorenstein APARC
  • Comparative Policy Responses to Demographic Change in East Asia (1/1/2011 - Present)

    Location

    China, Japan, Korea

2024-25 Courses

Stanford Advisees

All Publications

  • SOUTH KOREA'S DEMOCRATIC DECAY JOURNAL OF DEMOCRACY Shin, G. 2020; 31 (3): 100–114

    View details for DOI 10.1353/jod.2020.0048

    View details for Web of Science ID 000550164800008

  • Skilled Migrants as Human and Social Capital in Korea ASIAN SURVEY Shin, G., Choi, J., Moon, R. J. 2019; 59 (4): 673–92

    View details for DOI 10.1525/AS.2019.59.4.673

    View details for Web of Science ID 000496271900005

  • Korea's Migrants: From Homogeneity to Diversity An Asian Survey Special Section ASIAN SURVEY Shin, G., Moon, R. J. 2019; 59 (4): 595–606

    View details for DOI 10.1525/AS.2019.59.4.595

    View details for Web of Science ID 000496271900001

  • 1919 in Korea: National Resistance and Contending Legacies JOURNAL OF ASIAN STUDIES Shin, G., Moon, R. 2019; 78 (2): 399–408

    View details for DOI 10.1017/S002191181900007X

    View details for Web of Science ID 000471344100009

  • International student networks as transnational social capital: illustrations from Japan COMPARATIVE EDUCATION Moon, R. J., Shin, G. 2019

    View details for DOI 10.1080/03050068.2019.1601919

    View details for Web of Science ID 000463947900001

  • THE BURDEN OF THE PAST Problems of Historical Perception in Japan-Korea Relations Foreword BURDEN OF THE PAST: PROBLEMS OF HISTORICAL PERCEPTION IN JAPAN-KOREA RELATIONS Shin, G., Kimura, K. 2019: VII-+

    View details for Web of Science ID 000514300800001

  • North Korea in 2018 Kim's Summit Diplomacy ASIAN SURVEY Shin, G., Moon, R. J. 2019; 59 (1): 35–43

    View details for DOI 10.1525/AS.2019.59.1.35

    View details for Web of Science ID 000496267700004

  • Park Chung Hee and Modern Korea: The Roots of Militarism, 1866-1945 (Book Review) HISTORIAN Book Review Authored by: Shin, G. 2018; 80 (2): 420-+

    View details for Web of Science ID 000441245100050

  • North Korea in 2017 Closer to Being a Nuclear State ASIAN SURVEY Shin, G., Moon, R. J. 2018; 58 (1): 33–42

    View details for DOI 10.1525/AS.2018.58.1.33

    View details for Web of Science ID 000428265600004

  • South Korea in 2016 Political Leadership in Crisis ASIAN SURVEY Shin, G., Moon, R. J. 2017; 57 (1): 103-110

    View details for DOI 10.1525/AS.2017.57.1.103

    View details for Web of Science ID 000396797300012

  • Aid as Transnational Social Capital: Korea's Official Development Assistance in Higher Education PACIFIC AFFAIRS Moon, R. J., Shin, G. 2016; 89 (4): 817-837

    View details for DOI 10.5509/2016894817

    View details for Web of Science ID 000389560900004

  • Asymmetry of power and attention in alliance politics: the US-Republic of Korea case AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Shin, G., Izatt, H., Moon, R. J. 2016; 70 (3): 235-255

    View details for DOI 10.1080/10357718.2015.1113228

    View details for Web of Science ID 000378813700002

  • PAST ACTIVISM, PARTY PRESSURE, AND IDEOLOGY: EXPLAINING THE VOTE TO DEPLOY KOREAN TROOPS TO IRAQ MOBILIZATION Kim, S., Chang, P. Y., Shin, G. 2013; 18 (3): 243-266

    View details for Web of Science ID 000325154200002

  • The Election That Could Reorder South Korea's Politics CURRENT HISTORY Shin, G. 2012; 111 (746): 223-228

    View details for Web of Science ID 000308265600004

  • Identity Politics and Policy Disputes in U.S.-Korea Relations POLITICAL SCIENCE QUARTERLY Shin, G. 2012; 127 (2): 289-310

    View details for Web of Science ID 000305860400005

  • Troubled Transition: North Korea's Politics, Economy and External Relations Straub , D. edited by Shin, G., Choe, S. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center. 2012
  • “Racist Korea?: Diverse but not tolerant of diversity Race and Racism in Modern East Asia: Western and Eastern Constructions Shin , G. Brill . 2012: 369–390
  • Anti-American and Anti-Alliance Sentiments in South Korea ASIAN SURVEY Shin, G., Izatt, H. J. 2011; 51 (6): 1113-1133

    View details for Web of Science ID 000299048800006

  • U.S.-DPRK Educational Exchanges: Assessment and Future Strategy edited by Shin , G., Lee, K. J. Shorenstein APARC. 2011
  • Beyond North Korea: Future Challenges to South Korea's Security edited by Shin , G., Kim, B. K., Straub , D. Shorenstein APARC, distributed by the Brookings Institution Press. 2011
  • History Textbooks and the Wars in Asia: Divided Memories History Textbooks and the Wars in Asia: Divided Memories edited by Shin , G., Sneider , D. C. Routledge . 2011
  • South Korean Social Movements: From Democracy to Civil Society Shin, G., Chang , P. Routledge. 2011
  • Historical Disputes and Reconciliation in Northeast Asia: The US Role PACIFIC AFFAIRS Shin, G. 2010; 83 (4): 663-673

    View details for Web of Science ID 000285036000001

  • Values and History in U.S.-South Korean Relations Issues of History, Values, Memory, and Identity in the U.S.-South Korea Relationship Shin, G. Cambridge University Press. 2010
  • One Alliance, Two Lenses: U.S.-Korea Relations in a New Era Shin , G. Stanford University . 2010
  • First Drafts of Korea: The U.S. Media and Perceptions of the Last Cold War Frontier edited by Shin , G., Macintyre, D., Sneider, D. C. Shorenstein APARC, distributed by Brookings Institution Press. 2009
  • North Korea and Identity Politics in South Korea Brown Journal of World Affairs Shin , G. 2008; 15 (1)
  • Paradox or Paradigm? Making Sense of Korean Experience Korea Confronts Globalization Shin, G., Choi , J. N. ROutledge. 2008 : 250–272
  • Journal of Korean Studies Shin, G., Duncan , J. Rowman & Littlefield. 2008; 13
  • Cross Currents: Regionalism and Nationalism in Northeast Asia edited by Shin , G. Shorenstein APARC, distributed by Brookings Institution Press. 2007
  • Journal of Korean Studies Shin , G., Duncan , J. Rowman & Littlefield. 2007; 12
  • North Korea: 2005 and Beyond edited by Shin , G. Shorenstein APARC, Brookings Institution Press. 2006
  • Rethinking Historical Injustice and Reconciliation in Northeast Asia: The Korean Experience Shin , G. Routledge. 2006
  • Journal of Korean Studies Shin , G., Duncan , J. Rowman & Littlefield. 2006; 11
  • Ethnic Nationalism in Korea: Genealogy, Politics, and Legacy Shin , G. Stanford University Press: Studies of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center. 2006
  • Asianism in Korea's politics of identity Conference on Koreas Identities Shin, G. W. ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. 2005: 616–30

    View details for DOI 10.1080/14649370500316992

    View details for Web of Science ID 000234392100016

  • Journal of Korean Studies Shin , G., Duncan , J. Rowman & Littlefield. 2005; 10
  • Journal of Korean Studies Shin, G., Duncan , J. Rowman & Littlefield. 2004; 9
  • The Politics of Nationalism in U.S.-Korean Relations Asian Perspective Shin , G., Chang , P. Y. 2004; 28
  • Social conflict and regime formation - A comparative study of South Korea and Costa Rica INTERNATIONAL SOCIOLOGY Shin, G. W., Hytrek, G. 2002; 17 (4): 459-480

    View details for Web of Science ID 000180335600001

  • The Politics of Ethnic Nationalism in Korea Nations and Nationalism: Journal of the Association for the Study of Ethnicity and Nationalism Shin, G., Yi, G. 1999; 5
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4436-6185