The USC Korean Studies Institute invites paper proposals and discussant applications for the annual USC KSI Graduate Student Symposium. This symposium aims to professionalize graduate students, nurture their scholarship, and create interdisciplinary networks of Ph.D. students working on research related to Korea, East Asia, and/or Asian diasporas. It also provides students from various institutions with the chance to meet and share research in progress with their peers and participating faculty. In addition, participants can engage with a faculty panel that will build their professional and research skills.
Graduate students from any department and any university are encouraged to submit paper proposals or serve as discussants. We hope to achieve an interdisciplinary mix of research papers from both the social sciences and humanities. Particularly encouraged are research papers that include Korea in a larger comparative or theoretical framework.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Deadline for paper proposals: November 15, 2023
Notifications of acceptance: December 1, 2023
Confirmation of acceptance: December 15, 2023
Deadline for paper submissions: January 22, 2024
Symposium Date
February 9, 2024
Application Process for Paper Proposals/Discussant
Students can take part in the symposium as presenters, discussants, or both. Please indicate in your cover letter which role you are applying for by November 24, 2023 to uscksigradsymposium@gmail.com.
For paper proposals: please e-mail your CV, a short cover letter, and 250-word abstract.
To apply as discussant: please submit your CV and short cover letter.
If accepted to present, completed papers must be submitted by January 22, 2024 for distribution to discussants and participants.
Questions can be directed to the organizing committee at uscksigradsymposium@gmail.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can a paper I submit here be submitted elsewhere for presentation or publication?
A: Papers used for this symposium do not have any restrictions in publishing or use before or after the symposium.
Q: Is there any financial support for travel?
A: There is no funding for travel or accommodations.
Q: Is there a minimum and/or maximum page length for the papers?
A: Please try to keep your paper under 35 pages as a courtesy to discussants.
Q: Is a PowerPoint required for the presentation?
A: No, you are not required to use a PowerPoint.
Q: What is the panel format?
A: Each presenter gets 7-10 minutes, followed by discussant feedback and audience Q&A with time remaining after all presentations. More detailed guidelines will be sent out to accepted presenters and discussants.
Q: My paper is not just on Korea – can I still apply?
A: Papers with Korea in comparative contexts are eligible to apply, as well as papers on non-Korea Asian and Diaspora topics.
Q: Can Masters students apply?
A: Preference will be given to Ph.D. students but Masters students are welcome to apply.
Q: Will this year’s symposium be virtual or have a virtual option?
A: Currently, we do not have plans to host the symposium online or to include a virtual option.