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Jenna Gibson

Jenna Gibson

Jenna Gibson is a doctoral candidate in political science at the University of Chicago.

Jenna Gibson is a doctoral candidate in political science at the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on media coverage of foreign policy issues, particularly related to the Korean Peninsula.

Before pursuing her doctorate, Jenna was Director of Communications at the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI), where she spearheaded KEI’s online and media outreach strategies, as well as writing analyses and hosting a weekly podcast.

She previously lived for two years in Cheonan, South Korea as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. There, she taught weekly English lessons to more than 700 middle school students. In addition, she led Fulbright Korea’s annual literary magazine and served as a mentor for incoming scholars.

Jenna earned a Master of Science in Foreign Service degree from Georgetown University in 2015. While at Georgetown, Jenna concentrated in global politics and security, with a particular focus on human rights and communications in East Asia. She graduated with a degree in journalism and international studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2011.

You can follow Jenna on Twitter at @jennargibson

Posts by Jenna Gibson
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December 28, 2018

Five Priorities for South Korea’s Moon Jae-in in 2019

By Jenna Gibson
What should be on the South Korean president’s agenda for the new year?
December 06, 2018

Rapper Symbolizes Backlash Against South Korea's Feminists

By Jenna Gibson
Rapper San E steps into the middle of South Korea’s growing women’s rights movement with anti-feminist tracks.

November 15, 2018

K-Pop Group BTS Caught in Latest Tensions Between South Korea and Japan

By Jenna Gibson
Amid a rising wave of tensions, Korean entertainment is once again getting caught in the crossfire.

October 25, 2018

Ridesharing Hits a Speed Bump in South Korea

By Jenna Gibson
Tens of thousands of taxi drivers strike against a new app from tech giant Kakao.

October 04, 2018

President Moon Models Work-Life Balance in South Korea

By Jenna Gibson
Moon Jae-in is trying to lead by example when it comes to wo la bal – by taking time off.
September 11, 2018

Anti-LGBT Protesters Derail Incheon’s First-Ever Queer Culture Festival

By Jenna Gibson
Despite the negativity at this year’s event, organizers of the festival in Incheon are not deterred.

August 02, 2018

Korean Firms Face Questions in Laos Dam Collapse

By Jenna Gibson
Two South Korean firms are being criticized for their role in the construction of the faulty dam.
June 11, 2018

Dear President Trump: Don’t Underestimate Kim Jong-Un

By Jenna Gibson
Popular portrayals of Kim as a willful child are misleading -- and dangerous.

November 10, 2017

China’s First Olive Branch to South Korea?

By Jenna Gibson
After a breakthrough on the THAAD dispute, a group of 3,000 Chinese tourists is planning a trip to Seoul.

March 23, 2017

China's Tourist Boycott Backfires on South Korea's Jeju Island

By Jenna Gibson
For some Koreans, apparently the dearth of Chinese tourists is a major draw. But other industries aren't so lucky.

October 01, 2016

The US State Department’s New Plan to Flood North Korea With Information

By Jenna Gibson
Bringing foreign entertainment into North Korea might be the best way to foster change.
August 03, 2016

Is China Already Taking Its Revenge for THAAD?

By Jenna Gibson
Cultural exchanges have started to become restricted, but can China really give up its addiction to Hallyu?

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