At the KDI School of Public Policy and Management, research starts with curiosity and grows into evidence that can drive real change and development. In the research labs, academic work goes beyond classrooms, papers, or conferences. It reaches out to communities, institutions, and policies that shape people’s lives. For faculty members and students alike, research is more than an academic requirement that needs to be submitted. It is a way of connecting ideas to action.

Many research careers begin with a personal question that turns into a professional goal. For Professor Sungho Park of the Impact Evaluation Lab and Assistant Professor of Economics at KDI School however, the decision to become a researcher did not happen all at once, but during a summer internship opportunity in Malawi that inspired him.  He shared that the journey was not straightforward, saying, “I tried a few things until I landed where I am.” 

Professor Sungho Park in one of his presentations

KDI School stands out for its international and collaborative environment. “What makes research here strong is that faculty members actively engage in research, publish scholarly works, and contribute to the development of knowledge in their respective fields,” he emphasized. Further, the school’s global connections help students and researchers connect and collaborate with professionals and experts in governance and policy-making. The diverse student body also strengthens the research culture, as students bring knowledge from their own countries and communities. This mix of academic knowledge and real-life experience makes research at KDIS more meaningful.

Adrianony Ny Aina Ianjatina sharing her insights at a conference.

Curiosity can start in unexpected ways. For Adrianony Ny Aina Ianjatina, a PhD student from Madagascar and one of Professor Park’s research assistants, it began with Korean dramas. “Actually, my interest in research was first sparked by watching K-dramas,” she said. Her interest was sparked by South Korea’s economic transformation from one of the poorest countries in the world into the country it is today. This curiosity eventually led her to choose the topic for her master’s thesis in 2016. Ianja also highlighted the importance of the mentorship she has received at KDIS, saying, “I have been very fortunate to be supervised by wonderful professors, particularly Professor Park. Seeing him work and receiving guidance from him has been a strong source of my inspiration in my research path.” 

For another research assistant, Songhyeon Kim (MDS, 2025), it all started with a professor’s encouragement. She recalled, “My interest in research began when a professor approached me after my poster presentation and encouraged me to get involved in research.” This moment was a turning point, as research allowed her to combine public administration from undergraduate studies with data science from the master’s program. Surrounded by dedicated and supportive professors, even a simple interest can grow into a meaningful research journey.

Songhyeon Kim and fellow KDI School MDS student Doeun Kim attend and present their research at the GIST- KDIS Graduate Student session on April 10, 2026.

In the research labs, students are active contributors, not just observers. Ianja said they helped design research questionnaires and learned to code surveys with SurveyCTO. She recalled the work as “both challenging and very interesting.” This experience motivated her to apply for a SurveyCTO grant, which she later received as one of the honorary recipients. For Songhyeon, one of the most memorable milestones in her research journey was her work as Professor Jaehyuk Park’s research assistant on the research report “Analysis of National Policy Research Portal Research Report through Document Embedding (Korean: 문서 임베딩을 통한 국가정책연구포털 연구보고서 분석),” which was published last year. She admits that being part of the team and getting a report published was a memorable achievement. More than that, it allowed her to witness how careful research, mentorship, and collaboration can turn a question into a scholarly contribution.

Research also teaches students to balance guidance and independence. Songhyeon described having weekly meetings with professors, then working on her own between meetings. She said, “My role involves thinking independently, making decisions when immediate guidance is not available, and continuing the research process responsibly and proactively.” In this environment, students learn that responsibility comes not just from mentors, but also from their own choices.

Professor Park and PhD student Ianja in Tanzania

Fieldwork adds a human side to research, beyond technical training. Ianja called fieldwork one of herr most memorable experiences, saying, “It was very rewarding to meet the different stakeholders and the beneficiaries of the program and to better understand their perspectives and realities.” Currently, she is working with Professor Park on a Green Climate Fund project that examines climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices among farmers in Tanzania. This experience allowed her to connect research design with real conditions in the field. It also shows that fieldwork is collecting data with understanding the people behind every survey, interview, and results. Improving people’s lives for her, gives meaning and purpose to the research.

Members of the Tanzania Agriculture Climate Adaptation Technology Deployment Programme (TACATDP) together with Professor Park and Ianja

Their experiences lead to one important lesson: for people who want to make a difference, studying and doing research at KDIS shows that passion alone is not enough. It must be strengthened by skills, discipline, and the courage to explore unfamiliar questions. Through the guidance of professors and practical coursework, students are exposed to the real demands of academic work, from asking relevant questions to analyzing data and understanding people’s lived realities. Through this process, students learn that research is not only about producing papers. It is about shaping ideas carefully until they become useful knowledge, practical solutions, and meaningful contributions to society.