Ph.D. student profile: JaeWon Kim
JaeWon Kim is a Ph.D student at the iSchool
When you meet someone who doesn鈥檛 know about your research, how do you describe it?
My research focuses on designing social media so that it centers relationship building and social connections because at present, there鈥檚 a big problem where everyone talks about making social media better but there's less clarity on what better actually looks like in practice. Online platforms play such a significant role in identity and relationship development, which is why part of my work involves identifying shared values that can then guide the development of social media.
Who is the faculty member working closest with you? What are you learning from them?
I work closest with Alexis Hiniker, and her work speaks for itself. She鈥檚 doing so many amazing projects on user-centered design. Since I first came to the iSchool, it has been incredibly inspiring to see Alexis follow her values in her work. Her career has allowed me to believe that I can also make a career out of my passions and values. Before, I felt this pressure to follow a more traditional career path and land a technical, industry job, but Alexis has opened my eyes to what鈥檚 possible.
Another important lesson I鈥檝e learned from her is how to be a good mentor. Alexis always
encourages and motivates me to reach my full potential, and that鈥檚 something I really appreciate about having her as my advisor.
Why are you interested in this subject?
Social connections and relationships have always been a big part of who I am and what I value. Throughout my life, I鈥檝e been fortunate enough to have friends that support me when I want to try new things and in that way enable me to pursue my goals. Now, a lot of these social relationships happen online. For example, when I came to the iSchool, I built and deployed a social media platform in partnership with my friends in Korea to explore the possibility of what a community-centered and intentional design approach looks like. At the same time, we often hear concerns about the potential harms of social technologies. This gap motivates me to pursue further research in the domain of community and social media, so that technologies can better support meaningful social connections to their fullest potential.
Outside of my specific research, I鈥檓 also a part of Positech, which is a community of people interested in positive social computing. My experience engaging with people who share my passion for positive technology is another reason I鈥檓 interested in pursuing this field further.
What impact do you hope to make in the information field through your
research/dissertation?
I hope my research can help us develop a clear vision of what better social media looks like and enable us to create that in reality. Discussions around social media often focus on its harms, but it鈥檚 equally important to intentionally think about how these platforms can support community, connection and well-being. I would like my research to serve as a reminder of centering these important values in our online platforms.
What surprised you the most when digging into your research?
When I built my social media app, I sought out interviews with youth and teen participants who could give me feedback on my platform. I went into those conversations with a very narrow vision of what I wanted the app to look like, but after hearing candid feedback, I was surprised by how much my initial concept had expanded from the first set of interviews alone.
What are your career goals once you graduate?
Once I graduate, I hope to be in a role that allows me to pursue my passion for creating
technologies that enable people to thrive, connect and grow. This could mean a career in
academia or research, but I鈥檓 always open to other possibilities.