Unexpected Connections: Hyowon Kim, PhD in Information ’27

Whether it’s through sharing research data or bridging language barriers, I’m fascinated by how these practices can reveal unexpected connections and valuable insights in academic work that might otherwise remain hidden.

 
PhD in Information student Hyowon Kim came to the University of Arizona from Seoul, Korea, where she earned a Master’s in Sociology. By pairing sociology with information science, she explores how we can better share knowledge and build stronger research communities. Follow Hyowon’s journey—her multidisciplinary research, experiences navigating PhD life as an international student, advice for aspiring doctoral candidates and much more—in her student profile.

What brought you to the University of Arizona to study information science?

I came to the University of Arizona’s PhD in Information after carefully looking for a program that matched my research interests. The opportunity to work with Dr. Sarah Bratt was particularly important in my decision—her research approach and interests aligned well with the questions I wanted to explore. I’m grateful that she saw potential in our research alignment, as well.

The program’s curriculum structure was also appealing, especially the minor requirement that cultivates both interdisciplinary thinking and specialized expertise in complementary fields. This approach to doctoral education helps students develop depth in their chosen areas while maintaining broader perspectives.
 

What are your research interests, and what most excites you about that research?

My research interests are quite diverse and still evolving, which I think is natural in academic growth. At its core, though, my research focuses on research data management and research practices, particularly how researchers handle their data throughout the research lifecycle—from collection and curation to analysis and sharing. I’m also interested in examining researchers’ work through a science of science lens, looking at both their data practices and the research they produce.

Currently, I’m working on two main research projects. The first one, in collaboration with Dr. Bratt, explores the transformative potential of research data reuse. We’re investigating how data reuse goes beyond just validating findings or sparking new research—it can actually drive research collaboration and professional growth. While we know that data reuse can connect research communities, we’re particularly interested in understanding how these connections develop into actual research partnerships, and whether data citations translate into professional recognition for data creators. We’re exploring questions like how data reuse leads to tangible research collaboration and how it contributes to researchers’ career advancement.

My second research focus has developed through my sociology minor, especially through courses in sociology of knowledge. I’m examining a critical issue in academic knowledge production: the linguistic divide in scholarship. While research is produced in both English and local languages, contributions in local languages often remain overlooked in global academia—even when they offer deeper contextual insights that English-language research cannot fully capture.

For example, I’m studying how Korean scholars publish their research in both Korean and English, and how these different language choices affect the way their work reaches and influences other researchers. When scholars publish in Korean, they might be able to explore certain topics in more depth or with better cultural context, but their work might not reach international audiences. I’m interested in understanding these trade-offs and their impact on global knowledge sharing.

Both these research areas ultimately explore how we can better share knowledge and build stronger research communities, which I find truly energizing about my work. Whether it’s through sharing research data or bridging language barriers, I’m fascinated by how these practices can reveal unexpected connections and valuable insights in academic work that might otherwise remain hidden.
 

When we have discussions or work together, everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences, which makes our learning environment so much richer. I think this diversity is one of the program’s greatest strengths.

Tell us about your published research and presentations?

At the 2024 ASIS&T (Association for Information Science & Technology) Annual Meeting, I had the opportunity to present my research in a privacy-focused session. The paper, titled “Assessing Privacy Policies and App Settings for User Data Protection: A Data Subject-Centered Framework Analysis of TikTok in the U.S. and Europe (2023-2024),” was developed through a directed research course with my advisor, Dr. Bratt.

This work examines how well TikTok’s privacy policies and app settings actually protect user privacy, comparing the relatively lenient privacy regulations in the U.S. to the more stringent requirements in Europe. While both regions had room for improvement, there are some interesting differences between the two, not just in the privacy policies themselves, but also in the level of control users had over how their sensitive information was used for advertising personalization in the app settings, and how transparently that information was provided to users within the app.

In addition, I recently had a paper accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed IASSIST (International Association for Social Science Information Service and Technology) Quarterly journal. This research, titled “Understanding motivations and future needs for data deposits at Korea Social Science Data Archive,” explored how KOSSDA, a social science data archive in Korea, can promote data sharing and establish norms within a context where open science policies are not yet fully established, and where a culture of data sharing is still emerging.

What do you like best about the doctoral program?

What I like best about our program is the supportive atmosphere here at Arizona. Everyone is growing together, and you can really feel it. You know how PhD programs can make you feel like you need to know everything from day one? It’s different here—there’s this understanding that we’re all here to learn, whether in classes or research. You can see how everyone in our community supports each other in every interaction.

I also really appreciate how the program helps us develop as researchers, especially through the directed research courses. Working with my advisor on my research interests through these courses has given me great opportunities to develop my ideas into research. It’s nice to be in a place where you can focus on learning and growing, instead of feeling pressured to prove yourself all the time.

What have you found most surprising about the doctoral program?

What’s surprised me most about our program is the diversity in our student community. It’s been really meaningful to study alongside people from different ages, backgrounds and research interests. When we have discussions or work together, everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences, which makes our learning environment so much richer. I think this diversity is one of the program’s greatest strengths.
  

The InfoSci experience means being part of a unique multidisciplinary space where “misfits” from diverse backgrounds come together. We’re united by our shared interest in exploring the complex relationships between technology, humans and society. It’s this diversity of perspectives that makes our field so dynamic and innovative.

What has been your biggest challenge at the College of Information Science, and how have you overcome that challenge?

While I haven’t faced major challenges within our college itself, my main challenge has been adjusting to the different academic practices in information science. Coming from a sociology background, the way we approach research and writing is quite different. For example, in sociology, we put a lot of emphasis on extensive literature reviews, while in information science, there’s more focus on explaining research motivation and practical contributions. At first, I wondered if I was approaching things the right way.

I also sometimes felt uncertain about my place in the field because information science is so broad and multidisciplinary. But regular conversations with my advisor have really helped me understand these differences and see how my sociology background actually brings a valuable perspective to information science. Now I see these different approaches as complementary rather than challenging.

What has been your biggest challenge outside of the PhD program?

My biggest challenge has been adjusting to a very different lifestyle after moving from Seoul to Tucson. It’s not just about the obvious changes—like moving from a busy metropolitan city to a hot desert town—but also about navigating different cultural expectations. But I’m gradually adapting to both aspects of life here. Tucson offers amazing opportunities to enjoy nature, such as hiking in the nearby mountains and taking in the beautiful sunsets.

What does the "InfoSci experience" mean for you?

For me, the InfoSci experience means being part of a unique multidisciplinary space where “misfits” from diverse backgrounds come together. We’re united by our shared interest in exploring the complex relationships between technology, humans and society. It’s this diversity of perspectives that makes our field so dynamic and innovative.
 

The gaps I observed in research data management in Korea have really piqued my interest, and I’m excited by the prospect of potentially helping to improve data management practices and policies there, whether through continued research or by applying my skills in a practical setting.

Tell us about your job experience and career aspirations.

My interest in information science began before the PhD program. Before coming here, while working on my sociology degree, I had an internship at the Korean Women’s Development Institute Statistics Data Center. There, I collected various types of women-related data—from research data and surveys to administrative data—and helped build and maintain databases to support women’s studies. I also wrote reports about different areas like education and labor using this data. We were mapping out which institutions and regions were doing research and collecting statistics about women’s issues. I saw how bringing all these resources together could make future research easier and help us better understand issues across different fields. This was when I first realized how important systematic data management is.

This experience led me to discover the field of research data management in social science research. I noticed that in Korea, compared to the U.S. or Europe, researchers weren’t as focused on systematically managing their data, and there was also a lack of national policies and support systems for research data management. I started thinking about how much more we could do if this data was properly managed and made available for others to use.

As for my future career, I haven’t decided on anything concrete yet. However, I know I want to contribute to Korea in some way. The gaps I observed in research data management in Korea have really piqued my interest, and I’m excited by the prospect of potentially helping to improve data management practices and policies there, whether through continued research or by applying my skills in a practical setting.

Outside of school, what are your hobbies?

Since coming to Tucson, I’ve really gotten into teaching myself how to play the piano. It’s become a regular hobby of mine—I just find so much satisfaction in learning to play my favorite movie soundtrack pieces bit by bit. And during the school breaks, I also like to take the opportunity to do some traveling.

What advice do you have for prospective InfoSci PhD students?

Be open-minded about your research interests while staying true to what genuinely motivates you. Take time to explore different areas within information science, and don’t be afraid to connect with faculty and fellow students. Most importantly, remember that everyone’s PhD journey is unique—focus on finding your own path rather than comparing yourself to others.
 

Learn more about the College of Information Science's PhD in Information programs, or explore ways you may support InfoSci students like Hyowon on the leading edge of interdisciplinary information science research.