Research Interests

I mainly focus on three areas of research:
(1) The policy process and representation aspects in policing, including the effect of police representation on officer-citizen interactions and the role of police unions in reform.
(2) The organizational behavior of bureaucrats, with an emphasis on understanding their motivations for public service. I am delving into how such motivations can influence ethical conduct and if they play a role in individuals’ career decisions within the government.
(3) Innovation within the public sector, particularly in human resource management in local governments.

My in-depth study on this topic spans East Asia and the U.S., using unique datasets related to bureaucratic mindsets while applying experimental approaches. To understand these areas, I predominantly study individual attitudes and behaviors within East Asian government bodies and U.S. police departments. My research uses a variety of techniques including panel data, multilevel, and social network analyses, as well as experimental methods. In my dissertation, I apply a comparative approach, using data from the U.S., South Korea, and Taiwan to test my hypotheses.