Dr. Kyung Suk Lee, International Security, Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at Incheon National University, South Korea

Dr. Kyung Suk Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Studies at Incheon National University in Songdo, South Korea. He specializes in international security, nuclear and alliance politics, great power competition, and elite and public opinion on international affairs. Prior to his current role, he was an Assistant Professor at the Institute for National Security and Military Affairs at Daejeon University. Dr. Lee completed his Ph.D. in Political Science at Texas A&M University in 2022. He holds two M.A. degrees in International Relations, from American University (2016) and Yonsei University (2015). Additionally, he earned his B.A. in Theology with distinction from the Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary in South Korea in 2012. Dr. Lee’s extensive education and research contribute to his expertise in analyzing and understanding the complexities of global security and political dynamics.

Profile:

Education:

Ph.D. in Political Science
Texas A&M University, United States, 2022

M.A. in International Relations
American University, United States, 2016

M.A. in International Relations
Yonsei University, South Korea, 2015

B.A. in Theology (with Distinction)
Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary, South Korea, 2012

Professional Experience:

Dr. Kyung Suk Lee has a diverse and distinguished professional background in the field of political science and international studies. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Studies at Incheon National University in Songdo, South Korea, a position he has held since Fall 2023. In this role, Dr. Lee focuses on teaching and research in international security, nuclear and alliance politics, great power competition, and the influence of elite and public opinion on international affairs. Before joining Incheon National University, Dr. Lee was an Assistant Professor at the Institute for National Security and Military Affairs at Daejeon University during the Spring of 2023. His responsibilities included conducting research on national security issues and contributing to the academic development of the institution. Dr. Lee’s academic journey is marked by a strong foundation in international relations, evidenced by his educational achievements and his dedication to exploring the complexities of global security dynamics.

Research Interest:

Dr. Kyung Suk Lee’s research interests lie at the intersection of international security and political dynamics. He focuses on nuclear and alliance politics, exploring how nations navigate and strategize within the complex landscape of nuclear capabilities and defense agreements. His work also delves into great power competition, analyzing the interactions and rivalries between major global powers and their implications for international stability. Additionally, Dr. Lee investigates elite and public opinion on international affairs, examining how perceptions and attitudes shape and are shaped by global political events. Through his research, Dr. Lee aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors influencing international security and policy-making.

Publications:

Title: New approach of South Korea’s middle power diplomacy: Focusing on global agenda setting

Journal: Global Politics Review
Volume: 2, Issue: 2, Pages: 40-57
Year: 2016
Cited by: 16

Title: US freedom of navigation operations in South China Sea: An ongoing riddle between the United States and China

Journal: The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis
Volume: 29, Issue: 3, Pages: 455-473
Year: 2017
Cited by: 8

Title: Nuclear Weapons and Low-Level Military Conflict

Authors: KS Lee, JD Kim, H Jin, M Fuhrmann
Journal: International Studies Quarterly
Volume: 66, Issue: 4, Article: sqac067
Year: 2022
Cited by: 7

Title: US Public Support for the US-NATO Alliance

Authors: KS Lee, K Goidel
Journal: International Journal of Public Opinion Research
Volume: 34, Issue: 2, Article: edac011
Year: 2022
Cited by: 5

Title: The Microfoundations of Nuclear Proliferation: Evidence from South Korea

Journal: International Journal of Public Opinion Research
Volume: 35, Issue: 4, Article: edad033
Year: 2023
Cited by: 2

Dr. Laura Planas, International Security, Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at Pompeu Fabra University, Spain

Dr. Laura Planas is a dedicated scholar and researcher with a diverse academic background. She earned her PhD in Law from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, where her thesis focused on “Securitizing Migration in a Changing International Order,” offering a critical comparative analysis of migration policies in the European Union, the United States, and South Africa. Her academic achievements include receiving a Cum Laude Mention for her doctoral dissertation.

Prior to her doctoral studies, Dr. Planas completed a Master’s degree in Journalism and Digital Communication at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. She also holds a Master of Laws in International Legal Studies from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC, USA, where she conducted research on the right to access public information for political participation, with a case study focusing on Mexico.

Dr. Planas began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree equivalent in Law (Grado en Derecho) from Pompeu Fabra University, where her undergraduate thesis explored “The Right to Truth during Post-War Rehabilitation,” particularly examining the South-African Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

profile

Orcid

Education

PhD in Law, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain

Duration: October 2018 – September 2022
Thesis: “Securitizing Migration in a Changing International Order: A Critical Comparative Analysis of the cases of the European Union, the United States, and South Africa”
Awarded Cum Laude Mention for exceptional academic achievement.

Master in Journalism and Digital Communication, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain

Completion: February 2020

Master of Laws in International Legal Studies, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, DC, USA

Completion: May 2016
Specialization: International Human Rights Law
Thesis: “The Right to Access to Public Information for the Effective Exercise of Political Participation. A case study of Mexico”

Grado en Derecho (Bachelor equivalent), Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain

Completion: June 2015

Professional Experience

Dr. Laura Planas has accumulated a wealth of professional experience across various prestigious institutions and organizations:

At the University of Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, she currently serves as a Postdoctoral Researcher, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in her field since January 2023. Simultaneously, she holds a position as Affiliated Teaching Staff at the Open University of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain, where she imparts her expertise to students since September 2022.

Prior to her current roles, Dr. Planas served as Predoctoral Research Staff in Training at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, from October 2018 to September 2022, where she honed her research skills and expanded her academic insights.

Her dedication to gender issues led her to serve as a Gender Adviser at MUGER, A.C. in Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico, from August 2017 to December 2017, where she provided valuable expertise and guidance.

Dr. Planas also has international experience, having worked as a Consultant in the Social Policy and Development Division at the United Nations in New York, USA, from April 2017 to July 2017. Prior to this, she served as a Social Affairs Intern in the same division from September 2016 to March 2017, gaining valuable insights into global social policy challenges.

Before her tenure at the United Nations, she contributed to research and advocacy efforts as a Research Associate at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs in Washington, DC, USA, from May 2016 to August 2016, and as a Legal Intern at Human Rights First in Washington, DC, USA, from January 2016 to April 2016.

Research Interest

Dr. Laura Planas possesses a keen research interest in the intersection of law, migration, and international relations. Her scholarly pursuits focus on understanding the dynamics of migration governance, particularly in the context of evolving international norms and practices. Dr. Planas is deeply engaged in exploring the securitization of migration and its implications within the contemporary global order, with a critical comparative analysis of the European Union, the United States, and South Africa. Additionally, her research delves into the impact of counter-terrorism measures on migration, shedding light on the multifaceted relationship between security policies and migratory flows. Furthermore, she examines issues related to human rights, gender equality, and social justice, aiming to contribute to policy debates and academic discourse on these critical issues. Through her interdisciplinary approach and rigorous analysis, Dr. Planas strives to advance understanding and promote informed policymaking in areas concerning migration, security, and human rights at both national and international levels.

Publications

“Securitizing Migration in Times of Crisis”

Journal: Cogent Social Sciences
Publication Date: January 2024
DOI: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2296601
Contributor: Laura Planas

“Between Cosmopolitism and Westphalia: The Case of Terrorism”

Journal: Spanish Yearbook of International Law
Publication Date: December 1, 2022
Contributor: Laura Planas

Kyung Suk Lee | International Security | Best Researcher Award