The Academy of Mobility Humanities (AMH) at Konkuk University, directed by Inseop Shin, has been selected for the 2025 Humanities Korea 3.0 (HK 3.0) grant project by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea.
The HK 3.0 project is a major research program that funds university-based humanities research centers to foster world-class academic achievements and support the next generation of scholars. Out of 50 projects submitted for this project, 10 new projects were selected, including the “Infrastructure Humanities” by the AMH. This new project will provide 800 million won annually over 6 years in 2 phases, totaling 4.8 billion won, starting in March 2025.
The AMH has already achieved remarkable results, having received the Humanities Korea Plus (HK+) grant in 2018. Over the past seven years, it has become a global hub for mobility research, building international academic networks, making its international journal listed in SCOPUS, and hosting international conferences. This second selection for the HK 3.0 project confirms the AMH’s position as a leading center for humanities research.
The selection committee rated the AMH highly across all categories, including research foundation, project coherence, collaborative research system, plans for training future scholars, and strategies for social impact.
“Infrastructure Humanities” examines the infrastructure that enables mobility as a fundamental aspect of human existence through an interdisciplinary perspective. The AMH will develop a theoretical framework focusing on three main areas: the cultural representation of infrastructure, the normative creation of infrastructure, and the ontological expansion of infrastructure. The AMH will also concentrate on training future scholars through its newly established graduate program this year and promoting the social impact of the academic results through its Humanities Education Center.
Director Inseop Shin explained, “‘Infrastructure Humanities’ is a progressive research agenda that enhances and broadens mobility humanities research.” He stated, “The AMH aims to achieve practical research outcomes that respond to the rapid changes in society driven by innovative infrastructure technology and address multiple challenges, including climate crisis and technological inequality.”
