The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi annually awards twelve Dissertation Fellowships of $10,000 each to active members who are doctoral candidates and are completing dissertations. Dissertation Fellowships support students in the dissertation writing stage of doctoral study.

For members like Jisoo Kim, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the fellowship provides valuable support to explore complex issues shaping our democracy. As a 2024 Dissertation Fellowship recipient, Kim’s research investigates the roots of perceived political polarization in the United States—how people think Democrats and Republicans differ, both ideologically and emotionally—and the consequences of those perceptions for democratic engagement.

Kim’s dissertation examines how individuals’ information diets—the news they consume and the people they talk to—shape perceptions of ideological and affective polarization. By integrating three empirical studies, Kim aims to understand how misperceptions about political divides can drive partisanship, extremism, and anti-democratic behaviors, and to identify ways corrective information can help depolarize Americans.

“I am greatly interested in society and pursue to answer the questions of how to make it a better place for more and more people. Such curiosity and persistence guide me to ‘learn forward,’ delving into the status quo, the mechanisms behind problems, and potential ways to resolve divides and promote progress based on inclusivity,” Kim said.

The deadline to apply for a Dissertation Fellowship is Nov. 30. For more information, visit www.phikappaphi.org/dissertation or contact Director of Awards Kelli Partin at kpartin@phikappaphi.org.