Seoul National University’s Diversity Council, founded in 2016, is a presidential advisory body dedicated to advancing equity and inclusion at and beyond SNU. Recognizing the critical role of championing diversity in these efforts, Chair Min Eun-Gi (College of Music) states, “Diversity is not only crucial for the continuous survival of the Earth’s ecosystem but also an essential core value for Seoul National University which seeks to contribute to the survival and prosperity of our society in the face of new challenges.” Putting its mission into action, the Council facilitates research and the implementation of policies that protect and promote diversity, while also fostering an environment of open dialogue within the university community.
The Council Members of SNU’s Diversity Council
Research and Policy-Making for Diversity
The foundation of identifying the diverse needs of the SNU community lies in systematic research and evaluation. To this end, the Diversity Council adheres to a strict research timeline, publishing an annual Diversity Report and conducting two research projects yearly.
The 2023 Diversity Report, published in July 2024, presents the distribution of SNU’s demographics by gender, nationality, occupation, affiliated institution, contract type, and highest level of education (for faculty). Traditionally, each report also explores key findings on a chosen topic. The most recent edition featured findings on “Developing and Expanding Diversity Education Programs,” providing an overview of diversity education in domestic institutions and proposing strategies for expanding such initiatives at SNU.
In addition, the two research projects currently underway are led by Professor Chin Meejung (Department of Child Development & Family Studies) and Professor Lee Seon-Young (Department of Education), respectively. Professor Chin’s research surveys SNU students’ perceptions of marriage, childbirth, and childcare. By examining how their educational experiences shape these perceptions, her work seeks to identify solutions to address the dilemma of Korea’s low birthrate. Professor Lee’s research approaches an entirely different area of study, exploring personal factors and support systems critical for the development and expression of creativity. Ultimately, her work aims to propose a measure for diagnosing the creative readiness of undergraduate students at SNU. Having begun just last October, both projects are expected to be completed by April 2025.
The 2023 Diversity Report
Reaching Out to the SNU Community via On-Campus Initiatives
Beyond its broader policy initiatives, the Diversity Council also organizes events to raise awareness and engage the student community. Every year, without fail, the Council hosts its Diversity Book & Film Recommendation Contest, Exhibition of Recommended Books & Films, and a Book Concert featuring its recommended reading.
In 2024, the Diversity Council launched SNU’s first-ever Cultural Diversity Week, hosting a dynamic lineup of events to captivate a broad audience. The five-day period included a corporate diversity forum where officials spoke on their companies’ diversity initiatives and a policy forum, co-hosted with Arts Council Korea, on extending hospitality towards immigrants and approaching immigration policy through the lens of cultural diversity. To satisfy those with a passion for the arts, film producer Shim Jae-myung delivered a special lecture on diversity in Korean cinema. Additionally, SNU’s Institute for Culture and Arts organized daily mini-concerts at the Grass Square, offering students a taste of music from all over the world.
Who Are the Diversity Pioneers?
Diversity Pioneers is a student internship program launched by the Council in 2019. Each cohort of 20 to 40 students participates in both mandatory and self-directed activities under the overarching theme of breaking barriers among SNU students.
For team-based activities, Pioneer members select a diversity-related topic and develop projects that raise awareness and push for change within the university community. Recurring topics include gender, nationality, disability, and sustainable consumption, while past creative initiatives have tackled hate speech on campus and the enhancement of a sense of belonging among graduate students.
The 7th Cohort of Diversity Pioneers
Pursuing Diversity Beyond SNU
SNU also strives for inclusivity and accessibility beyond the university campus. In 2023, SNU, in collaboration with Arts Council Korea, facilitated the establishment of the University Diversity Council, which now includes six partner universities. In the following year, SNU played a pivotal role in launching the Korea Diversity Council and subsequently hosted its first-ever Korea Diversity Forum with the topic of global trends in diversity and Korea’s response strategies.
The Korea Diversity Council Hosting its First-ever Korea Diversity Forum in 2024
With the arrival of 2025’s spring semester, SNU’s Diversity Council aims to launch a plethora of new initiatives, particularly in enhancing disability awareness and encouraging student involvement. The new year promises significant growth, enabling the Council to expand its reach further than ever before.
Written by Hee Seo Lee, SNU English Editor, heeseolee@snu.ac.kr