Research
👩🏻💻 My research explores the intersection of emerging technologies with historical contexts, contemporary politics, and geopolitical narratives through a feminist Science and Technology Studies (STS) lens. Here is a brief overview of some projects that I have been working on:
Ethics & Policy of Technology in South Korea
Through various case studies, I explore how technoutopian and colonial discourses shape technological advancements and policy-making in South Korea. More specifically, I have been looking at the discourses surrounding the Lee Luda chatbot scandal, which brought together diverse stakeholders, including lawmakers, academics, and industry professionals, to grapple with the growing influence of AI within the digital space in South Korea.
Oh, J. J. Navigating Gendered Anthropomorphism in AI Ethics: The Case of Lee Luda in South Korea. To be presented at the 58th Annual Hawaii International Conference for System Sciences, Waikoloa, HI. 7-10 January, 2025.
Oh, J. J. From Controversy to Codification: Post Lee-Luda AI Ethics and Sociotechnical Imaginaries of South Korea. To be presented at AoIR2024, Sheffield, UK. 30 October-2 November 2024.
Human-Machine Relations, Emotion & Intimacy
I am interested in the evolving dynamics of human-machine interaction within virtual environments, specifically about user engagement and immersion through emerging interactive technologies such as video games and the metaverse.
Chung, M., Oh, J. J., Chang. J. Y. & Maslowska, E. Playing Hide & Seek with Algorithms: Investigating Digital Media Users’ Algorithm Refinement Behavior. 74th Annual International Communication Association (ICA) Conference in Gold Coast, Australia. 20-24, June 2024.
Hong, Y. & Oh, J. Beyond the Script: Rethinking (Ir)Reality and Immersion in Simulation Games. Presented at the International Conference of Three Societies on Literature and Science in Birmingham, United Kingdom. 10-12 April, 2024. Online.
Oh, J. J. & Chang, J. Y. Parasocial relations and embodied social presence on the metaverse: an exploratory study of ZEPETO. Presented at the 73rd Annual International Communication Association (ICA) Conference in Toronto, Canada. 25-29 May 2023.
Chang, J. Y. & Oh, J. J. Can We Discern Misleading Messages in the Metaverse?: An Effect of Parasocial Interaction and Virtual Presence. Presented at the 73rd Annual International Communication Association (ICA) Conference in Toronto, Canada. 25-29 May 2023.
Transnational Media & Information Systems
I am participating in a project that explores the spread of mis- and disinformation across Asian diasporic communities within the US. Currently, I am in the process of creating a Korean media primer -- a much needed resource as our understanding of the unique media environment of each diasporic community remains limited, often overshadowed by a Western-centric focus.