Research Focus
Across Asia, in both ethnically diverse and homogenous societies, labor migration, the foreign bride phenomenon, and international students have together contributed to shifting demographics, a greater sense of diversity, and the need to explore better ways to foster effective social cohesion.
Despite these changes, broader social integration of ethnic minorities has not yet occurred and cultural diversity policies are only in their initial stages of development. A diverse social fabric can enhance the value and performance of organizations, but they must create policy frameworks to instill positive interaction.
The Migration, Cultural Diversity, and Tolerance collaborative research project examines migration and diversity issues and challenges in Korea and greater Asia. It focuses on migration policies and diversity programs and policies of universities, corporations, and governments, and on their impact on innovation and creativity. Project investigators Gi-Wook Shin and Rennie Moon also seek to stimulate much-needed conversation about the value of diversity in Korea and across Asia, and highlight what embracing diversity can mean and do for society.
Recent project-related publications by Shin and Moon include a paper in which they pursue an inter-regional comparison, evaluating the rise and development of discourses of inclusion in the West and their implications for Asia (see “Embracing Diversity in Higher Education: Comparing Discourses in the US, Europe, and Asia”); a book chapter that focuses on Korea as a lens for studying these larger issues (see “Why Does Cultural Diversity Matter? Korean Higher Education in Comparative Perspective”); and a working paper in which they discuss how developing countries can enhance innovation and economic growth by engaging with their diasporas (see “From Brain Drain to Brain Circulation and Linkage”).
Publications in progress include a special journal issue on migrants in Korea, whose articles under review examine the growing heterogeneity and multiplicity of migrants in Korea within the broader categories of two major groups, i.e., migrant workers and marriage migrants. The articles address issues of class in addition to ethnicity and citizenship, two main markers of distinction in the current literature, as an analytical lens and consider the contributions of migrants from both human and social capital perspectives. Shin and Moon call for a new framework in both social discourse and policy that reflects such complexities: one that moves from the current focus on assimilation and social integration towards better appreciation of cultural diversity and transnationalism.
Future research will place these findings about Korea within a comparative context, vis-á-vis countries that undergo similar trends in internationalization and migration, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. The research agenda also includes a project that will explore changing perceptions of what constitutes a “minority” and a “good citizen” in South Korean society, providing an empirical basis for understanding debates on the interaction of citizenship, nationalism, and diversity.
