Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2025 graduates.
If ever there was a time to focus on curbing online hate, it might be now.
Enter Daeun Shin, an award-winning Arizona State University linguist.
This spring, Shin is graduating with a PhD in linguistics and applied linguistics from the Department of English at ASU. She’s also earning a certificate in computer-assisted language learning and hopes to soon put her new credentials to good use reducing conflict on the internet.
On April 1, Shin successfully defended her dissertation, “Hyemo in the 4B MovementA South Korean feminist movement responding to gender inequality and violence against women in which straight women forgo marriage, sex, having children or dating men. in South Korea: Its Function and Context” which analyzed polarizing interactions within a Korean online community. In her research, she dissects the reasons for some digital conflicts, finding that the very structures of some social platforms contribute to the problem.
According to one of her dissertation committee’s co-chairs, Associate Professor of ancient Hebrew and the history of emotions Françoise Mirguet, Shin’s work takes a critical look at a case of online hate speech, as it highlights social dynamics as well as patterns of interactions created by the unique capabilities of online platforms.
“Ms. Shin's dissertation explores how emotions drive and resist gender-based hateful rhetoric on a South Korean social media platform. Her work is both urgent and groundbreaking, as it sheds light on the mechanisms that enable the propagation and amplification of online hate speech," Mirguet said. "It also provides a unique perspective on how the victims of online hatred resist, repurpose and subvert the very tools of these degrading discourses."
In addition, Shin's research noted shifting perspectives of family in the community she studied.
"Shin notes that anger towards women by some South Korean males in online media became more broadly noticed around 2010, thus leading some online women’s communities to respond in kind in 2015," said Professor Karen Adams, a sociolinguist in the Department of English and one of Shin's dissertation committee co-chairs.
"Shin’s work focuses on the development of this pushback as it exists in 2023 among a specific online community of women in their 20s and 30s. Their anger has moved in the last eight years to not valuing marriage or childbirth."
In recognition of her excellence in research and scholarship, Shin received the Graduate College’s Completion Fellowship, a merit-based award. She was also part of a student cohort selected for a National Humanities Center virtual residency themed “How to Create Meaningful Online Learning Communities.” Additionally, she received the commendation for “Best Presentation” at the 2020 AZCALL virtual conference.
Shin has been busy publishing her work, with articles in CALICO journal and in the American Association for Applied Linguistics graduate student forum.
We talked with Shin to find out a bit more of her story and what’s coming next.
Question: What was your “aha” moment, when you realized you wanted to study in your field?
Answer: My “aha” moment came during a course on emotion offered by the School of International Letters and Cultures in my first semester of the doctoral program in linguistics and applied linguistics at ASU. I was fascinated by the multifaceted nature of emotion, which led me to explore it through readings across multiple disciplines, ranging from philosophy to psychology to computer science. Emotion discourse — highlighting the sociocultural and interactive aspects of emotion — eventually became the main focus of my dissertation.
Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: Having earned my bachelor’s degree in Korean language education, I entered the linguistics and applied linguistics master’s program at ASU (yes, I went to ASU for both my master’s and doctoral studies) expecting to study language teaching principles. During my first semester in the program, those expectations were completely shattered. I was introduced to social constructionism, which radically changed the way I think about the world. I came to realize that many things in the world not only have meanings but have specific meanings only because people in a society collectively imagine them that way. This entirely transformed my worldview — and my perspective on myself.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: There’s a bit of a love story behind why I chose ASU for my master’s. My then-boyfriend, now husband, was studying at ASU, and I applied so I could be closer to him. I later chose ASU for my doctoral program because of the program’s welcoming culture. With faculty members whose research spans a wide range of specialties, I was able to explore the vast sea of linguistics and applied linguistics. I remember talking to a colleague who had earned his master’s degree in South Korea; he said he hadn’t realized how diverse the field of linguistics was until he came here. I believe the reason I embraced interdisciplinary work for my dissertation is thanks to the inclusive and encouraging environment of this program.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: Françoise Mirguet at the School of International Letters and Cultures taught me the value of mentorship. As a student, I experienced its power firsthand. There were many times during my doctoral program when I doubted myself and lacked confidence in my research. She never doubted me and consistently showed unwavering support, which was a great motivation for me to continue with this academic journey.
In addition, she taught me how to approach and support students. In her classes, I learned a lot about how to express encouragement and care. I was especially impressed by the way she supported her students during the COVID-19 pandemic. While everyone was overwhelmed by the situation, she showed genuine care, and that has had a lasting impact on my own teaching philosophy.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: In school, if you ever feel hesitant to try something new, whether it’s a campus event, a gathering with roommates and friends, or an unfamiliar subject, go for it. One of the greatest benefits of being at ASU is the chance to be exposed to new experiences. Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to unexpected opportunities to better understand the world and yourself.
Q: What was your favorite spot for power studying?
A: I used to study in an enclave at Ross-Blakley Hall, where sunlight streamed through the large windows. The natural light made it easier to focus, and the occasional glance outside gave my eyes a much-needed break from the screen.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I plan to stay in academia for now, where I can continue teaching students, conducting research and publishing my work.
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: I am interested in addressing the issue of hate speech, which is closely tied to my research. Social polarization has become a major concern in today's society, and hate speech seems to be one of its most prominent manifestations. With $40 million, I would like to (1) identify the common social representations embedded in hate speech, (2) understand the context in which these representations arise, and (3) develop strategies to mitigate and ultimately transform these harmful representations.
More Sun Devil community
ASU creating thriving live-work-play community in Novus project
Sarah Chandler knew that for her first year as a student at Arizona State University, she wanted to live close to everything on campus.That’s why she chose Vero — a new apartment building at the…
National WWII Museum honors ASU graduates over 25th anniversary weekend
This June, more than 30 graduates and alumni of ASU’s World War II studies online Master of Arts program traveled to New Orleans for a graduation celebration at The National World War II…
Goalie and gearhead eyes engineering management success
Written by Jenn JurewiczMost people would be satisfied excelling in one demanding field. Quinn Eatinger isn’t most people.Eatinger, an undergraduate engineering management student in the Ira A.…