Call for Papers

The Asia Research Institute at the University at Buffalo (UB), State University of New York, invites scholars who work on AI and data science in education to submit an application to participate in a two-day Korean studies conference on September 26-27, 2025, in-person only at the University at Buffalo. The conveners are particularly interested in papers that focus on innovative uses of AI or data science in South Korean education and education research. We also welcome proposals on AI and data science developments in comparative contexts that include Korea or broader theoretical frameworks that could generate valuable insights in conversation with educational practices in Korea.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science in education is revolutionizing learning environments, reshaping research methodologies, and transforming pedagogical strategies worldwide. This conference delves into the profound impact of AI and data science in education, with a particular focus on insights connected to South Korea, including its pioneering contributions. The conference will feature keynote addresses by Dr. Jo Boaler, Nomellini and Olivier Professor in the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University, and Dr. Craig Enders, Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), along with contributions from esteemed scholars, including professors from Seoul National University.

South Korea has emerged as a leading advocate in harnessing AI and data science to enhance student engagement, personalize learning experiences, and optimize large-scale educational assessments. This conference will spotlight key innovations such as the development of AI-driven digital textbooks, big data collection and analytics for education, free software packages for educational data science, and automated scoring systems. By fostering dialogue between international and Korean scholars, this conference will offer a comprehensive exploration of AI and data science’s transformative role in shaping the future of education. The conference will delve into the intersection of technology and pedagogy, the potential of AI and data science integration in education, and their broader implications for global learning systems, with a particular emphasis on South Korea’s innovative approaches and contributions to this field.

The conference is convened by Sunha Kim, Associate Professor, Educational Data Science Program, Graduate School of Education, and Nojin Kwak, Vice Provost for International Education and Professor, Department of Communication, University at Buffalo.

Paper or panel topics related to the application of AI and data science in education may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Student learning, growth, and success
  • Course design and curriculum development
  • Equity, diversity, justice, and inclusion
  • Comparative studies, international perspectives, and big data analysis
  • Potential pitfalls and considerations
  • Current trends, perspectives, and innovations
  • Evaluation, assessment, and research methods
  • Current and prospective relationships with education

Researchers at various career stages, from advanced PhD students to senior scholars and independent scholars, are welcome to apply. The costs of local accommodations and meals during the conference will be covered by the UB Asia Research Institute. Competitive travel grants will be available.

For individual paper proposals:
Abstracts of no more than 500 words should be submitted via the online submission form by the deadline. Please include your name, institutional affiliation, department, title/position, and contact information.

For panel proposals:
Abstracts consisting of a 300-word rationale for the panel and 100-word abstracts of each of the papers (up to four papers) to be presented at the panel should be submitted via the online submission form by the deadline. The proposed panels should present an examination of thematically and/or theoretically coherent subjects. For each author, please include name, institutional affiliation, department, title/position, and contact information.

To submit a proposal, please fill out the form and upload an abstract of your paper or required panel abstracts as PDF files at the link below. The application is due on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Accepted participants will be notified shortly thereafter.

Thank you for your interest in the conference. Should you have any questions, please email koreaed25@buffalo.edu.