PhD Student Jisoo Kim Awarded Phi Kappa Phi Dissertation Fellowship

Jisoo Kim, PhD student and instructor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication was recently selected as a 2024 recipient of a Dissertation Fellowship by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society and the $10,000 fellowships are designed to support active Society members in the dissertation writing stage of doctoral study. Kim is one of 15 recipients nationwide to receive this award.

“I feel privileged to receive this dissertation fellowship. It gives me more confidence in my academic performance and enhances opportunities to explore research inquiries,” Kim said. “Sometimes, it could be a bit challenging to fully immerse in the dissertation work while advancing other research projects one has initiated before or even after becoming a dissertator. This fellowship will provide me with greater motivation and resources to make consistent progress on the dissertation while wisely navigating through my doctoral journey.”

Kim’s research focuses on how communication ecologies, including mediated and in-person communication, shape public opinion and perceptions about politics and democracy. Through this line of research, Kim is pursuing a dissertation examining how the public perceives ideological and affective polarization in the United States and how communication environments can contribute to or help remedy the overestimation of such political divides among Americans. The fellowship will support Kim as she dives even deeper into her line of research.

“I am planning three related studies to enhance the discussions of the relationship between communication and perceived political divides, and this fellowship will allow me to collect empirical data for one of the studies,” Kim said. “Through the fellowship, I am thrilled to pursue rigor and more thoroughness in my work that would otherwise be very difficult to achieve.”

The dissertation will not only support Kim as she works to complete her dissertation but will also grant her the freedom to broaden her research interests and collaborate with other scholars.

“This fellowship will provide critical support not only for my dissertation work but also for expanding my academic horizons through additional availability to explore ideas, share my research at conferences, engage and collaborate with other scholars, and enrich my research experiences,” Kim said. “I also greatly appreciate it as an opportunity to showcase my ability and commitment to advancing knowledge in communication studies, which may further enhance my visibility and credibility in this field.”