Solbi Kim

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science & International Affairs

(she/her/hers)

Solbi Kim is a doctoral candidate in Comparative Politics at the University of Georgia’s Department of International Affairs. Her areas of research interest include public opinion, political parties, political behavior, and democracy. She concentrates on the political trust of citizens and its effects across democracies.

Education
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MA in Political Science & International Relations, Ewha Womans University, 2019

BA in Political Science & International Relations, Ewha Womans University, 2017

More About
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Solbi has received numerous scholarships and awards, both internal and external, in recognition of her academic achievements. These include honors from the Department of International Affairs (2021, 2024) and the Graduate School (2020–2024) at the University of Georgia, as well as funding from the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) at George Mason University, the National Research Foundation of Korea (2017–2019), the Ewha Womans University Alumni Association (2017), Kookmin Bank (2015), and Ewha Womans University (2013).

In addition to her academic pursuits, she enjoys playing tennis and being an active member of the Korean student community through volunteer work.

Areas of Expertise
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Comparative Politics, Public Opinion, Political Trust, Political Parties, Political Behavior, Elections, Democracy

Honors, Awards, and Achievements
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Humane Studies Fellowship, Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) at George Mason University (2024)
Department of International Affairs merit scholarship (2024; 2022; 2021)
Graduate School of the University of Georgia merit grant (2024; 2023; 2022)
The Earl F. Ziemke Graduate Fellowship (2020)
BK21+ (Brain Korea 21 plus) Scholarship (2017 – 2019)
Ewha Alumni Association award (2017)
Kookmin Bank scholarship (2015)
Dean’s List, Ewha Womens University (2013)

Course Instruction
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Instructor of Record, in Comparative Democracy class (undergraduate-level, INTL 4315), Jan 2025 – May 2025, the School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia

Instructor of Record, in Comparative Public Opinion and Participation class (undergraduate-level, INTL 4305), Aug 2024 – Dec 2024, the School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia

Teaching Assistant / Instructor of Record, in American Government class (undergraduate-level, POLS 1101), Discussion Sessions, Aug 2021 – May 2022, the School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia

Teaching Assistant, in Introduction to Comparative Politics class (undergraduate-level, POLS 3300), Aug 2020 – May 2021, the School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia

Research Interests
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She highlights the importance of political trust in democratic nations. By analyzing citizens’ political trust, she attempts to determine the effects of public opinion on various political behaviors and, as a result, considers substantive democracy.