Leading Intellectual Community Shaping the Next 50 Years of Korean Society

College of Social Sciences, Seoul National University

Welcome to the website of the College of Social Sciences at Seoul National University.

I am Beom-Shik Shin, Dean of the College of Social Sciences.

Since its establishment in 1975, the College of Social Sciences at Seoul National University has served as a powerhouse of intellectual leadership, responding to the pressing questions of each era throughout the turbulent course of modern Korean history. As we move beyond the meaningful milestone of our 50th anniversary in 2026, we now embark on a bold new journey toward the next fifty years, building upon the achievements of the past.

Today, our society faces unprecedented and interconnected challenges, including digital transformation, the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence(AI), demographic crises, social polarization, the restructuring of the international order, and climate change. These transformations demand deeper reflection and bolder innovation from the social sciences. In response, our College is committed to advancing as a global intellectual community that combines academic excellence with social responsibility through the following initiatives.

First, we will chart a new course for the next fifty years of the College of Social Sciences.

To envision the future beyond our 50th anniversary, we will establish the “Future 50 Years Committee of the College of Social Sciences” and develop a long-term strategic roadmap. In step with evolving educational and campus environments, we will work together with our community members to design and realize a new vision for education and research.

Second, we will become a leading center of research dedicated to diagnosing the challenges facing our society and developing innovative solutions.

We will strengthen support for research that identifies the key issues necessary for the renewal and advancement of Korean society and seeks practical solutions through the collective research capacity of our College. Through interdisciplinary collaboration that transcends departmental boundaries—together with our leading research institutes such as the Institute of Social Sciences, the Asia Center, and the Social Science Data Archive—we will proactively propose transformative solutions for the future of Korean society.

Third, we will cultivate interdisciplinary talents and the next generation of scholars who will lead the future.

We will expand interdisciplinary educational programs that integrate social sciences and AI, while developing and institutionalizing innovative educational systems that combine intellectual discussion with social engagement and practice. In particular, through our distinguished doctoral fellowship program, we will support doctoral researchers so they may grow into world-class scholars within a stable academic environment.

Finally, we will foster an intellectual community enriched by the synergy of communication and collaboration.

The strength of education and research ultimately comes from the connections among people. On our newly renovated campus, we will create spaces and events that encourage interaction and harmony—where the wisdom of senior scholars and the energy of emerging faculty come together, and where faculty, students, and alumni collaborate closely within a vibrant culture of communication. At the same time, we will continue to cultivate a research environment that reduces administrative burdens while enhancing the joy of teaching and scholarship.

The next fifty years of growth and transformation for the College of Social Sciences at Seoul National University will be a journey that we build together with your continued interest and support. We invite you to join us as we broaden the horizons of global social sciences through critical intellect and compassionate solidarity.

Thank you.