Byung Wook Kim

Biography

With a Ph.D. in Mass Communications, I focus on the intersections between global, national, and local issues, organizational responses, and public perception using quantitative, qualitative, and computational research methods. I have extensive experience in large-scale data analysis using Python, SPSS, EViews, and MySQL.

In my recent study on U.S. environmental news coverage, I employed "guided" LDA topic modeling and a Transformer-based model for sentiment analysis. Panel data analysis revealed a shift towards market-driven solutions in media, moving away from narratives of climate justice and global equity. This methodological approach successfully integrated inductive pattern searching with deductive hypothesis-driven statistical tests.

My dissertation critically examined the neoliberalization of climate change news coverage in Korea, analyzing the market-based approaches like carbon offset mechanisms within the carbon market.

Another research focus is verifying the effectiveness of public diplomacy, considering time as a variable. I explore the cumulative and lagged effects of public diplomacy investments over time, employing methods such as the Granger Causality test to understand these dynamics.

Future research directions include investigating factors influencing climate change coverage and the emotional impact of media frames on public persuasion. I aim to analyze how severe climate data predicts climate change framing and the correlation between news trends and carbon market fluctuations.

As an educator, I am committed to fostering critical thinking and practical skills in students, preparing them for strategic communication and the digital media landscape. My teaching philosophy emphasizes inclusivity and cultivating a diverse academic environment where all perspectives are valued.