Pukyong National University

Pukyong National University, Opens a New Horizon in ‘Maritime Humanities’

-Receives ‘Excellence’ in the 7-Year Comprehensive Evaluation of the Korea Research Foundation’s HK+ Project

Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-hoon) has been recognized for opening a new horizon in the field of humanities with its ‘Maritime Humanities’ through the ‘Humanities Korea Plus (HK+)’ project, which has been operated for seven years.

Pukyong National University received the highest rating in the ‘2024 Comprehensive Evaluation of the Humanities Korea Plus Projects’ conducted by the Korea Research Foundation, for its unique research results that bridge academia and society.

Since being selected for the HK+ project in 2017, Pukyong National University, under the direction of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (Director Kim Chang-kyung), has conducted research on ‘The Dynamics of the Northeast Asian Maritime Region and Human Networks’ for seven years, with a funding amount of 9 billion KRW. This substantial amount of funding was an unprecedented level for a humanities research project.

In this evaluation, the project was recognized for expanding the horizon of academic research with its multi-layered approach that connects both regional and global perspectives, centered around the theme of ‘Maritime Humanities.’ By securing research personnel and building infrastructure for the HK project, Pukyong National University published over 200 papers in international journals, and more than 50 books, translations, and series, earning acknowledgment for its research achievements.

Additionally, the university was praised for its efforts to spread awareness of maritime humanities in society, through the hosting of annual international academic conferences and the creation of a Northeast Asian maritime network. Other activities, such as collaborative series with media outlets on maritime humanities, lectures, forums, tours, exhibitions, and competitions focused on local historical sites in Busan, all contributed to raising public awareness of the field.

Moreover, by effectively utilizing the university’s advanced practical training vessels and research ships, the project strengthened its internal structure. The research institute’s proposal of ‘humanistic thinking and practices through the lens of the sea’ was regarded as a refreshing vision that transcended the boundaries of traditional regional research.

Kim Chang-kyung, the Director of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, stated, “Our research is the product of an effort to present new perspectives by going beyond traditional humanities theories and weaving together narratives directly related to the lives of the people.” He emphasized, “We will continue to explore the potential of humanistic values connected through the maritime world.”

Building on this achievement, the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Pukyong National University plans to apply for the Humanities Korea 3.0 project, the successor to the current HK+ project. The university is preparing a research plan aimed at taking the humanities field to the next level, accelerating the fusion of academic studies and practical application, and conducting original research that will shape the future of maritime humanities. <Pukyong Today>