Professor Jo Elfving-Hwang is Professor of Korean Society and Culture at Curtin University, Director of the Korea Research & Engagement Centre, and Deputy Head of the School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry. She previously served as Dean Global (Northeast Asia), where she was responsible for strengthening Curtin's educational and research partnerships across the region. Her work spans research, education, international engagement and academic leadership, with a particular focus on building connections between scholarship, policy, industry and society. 

Her research explores contemporary Korean society and culture, including questions of gender, ageing, beauty, popular culture and social change. She has published widely on these topics and regularly contributes to public discussions and media commentary on developments in Korea and Australia-Korea relations. 

Beyond her research, Professor Elfving-Hwang has been actively involved in the development of international education, student mobility and global partnerships. She has led initiatives that create opportunities for students, strengthen institutional collaboration, and connect universities with government, community and industry partners in Australia and overseas. Through her leadership of the Korea Research & Engagement Centre, she has supported projects spanning research collaboration, study abroad, industry engagement and policy dialogue. 

Professor Elfving-Hwang currently serves as President of the Korean Studies Association of Australasia and a board member of the Korea Australia Research Network (KARN), and contributes to a range of national and international networks that support research, education and engagement across the Asia-Pacific region. Her career has included academic appointments in Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom, and more than two decades of experience in higher education, research and international collaboration.