CV

Updated:

2025-06-25

[email protected]
Updated: 2025-06-25

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Tourism resilience assessment
  • Impact of tourism on tourists, environment, and local society
  • Macro-level spatiotemporal data analysis of tourism
  • Network analysis of tourism
  • Tourism big data and machine-learning models

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy – Hospitality Management
University of South Carolina Aug 2023 — Present

  • Remarks: Presidential Fellowship

Master of Arts – Tourism Studies
Pusan National University Mar 2021 — July 2023

  • Thesis: Demystifying tourists’ authenticity perception: Attribute substitution of perceived authenticity with image congruency
  • Remarks: Alumni Scholarship of Excellence

Bacheor of Arts – Tourism and Convention
Bacheor of Arts – International Studies (dual degree)
Pusan National University Mar 2015 — Feb 2021

  • Remarks: Summa Cum Laude

ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS

University of South Carolina

Richardson Family SmartState Center for Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development
School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Aug 2023 — Present

  • Position: Graduate research assistant
  • Director: Dr. Lori Pennington-Gray

Institute for Clean Water Aug 2023 — Present

  • Position: Graduate research assistant
  • Director: Dr. Tammi Richardson

Pusan National University

Specialized Global Marine Tourism and Convention City Development Research Team
Department of Tourism and Convention Aug 2021 – Feb 2023

  • Position: Graduate research assistant
  • Director: Dr. Insin Kim

PUBLICATIONS

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles

  1. Lee, S., & Pennington-Gray, L. (2025). Measuring resilience of the tourism sector: Reflective resilience index (REFLEX) approach. Annals of Tourism Research, 114, 103983. DOI
  2. Lee, S., & Pennington-Gray, L. (2025). Metatheorizing tourist flow at macro-level: Universal forces theory and herding among tourists. Annals of Tourism Research, 113, 103961. DOI
  3. Pennington-Gray, L., & Lee, S. (2025). The nexus of politics, pandemic policies, and travel emotions: Insights from a state-level analysis of a pandemic. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events, ahead-of-print. DOI
  4. An, J., Hur, D., Lee, S., & Kim, H. (2025). Exploring Metaverse’s impact on the MICE industry from the industry experts’ lens. International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 16(2), 148–167. DOI
  5. Sim, M., Lee, S., Schroeder, A., & Kim, H. (2025). Decisions and prospects of short-term rental hosts under uncertainties. Current Issues in Tourism, 28(1), 79–98. DOI
  6. Stepchenkova, S., Lee, S., & Kim, H. (2024). Experiencing authenticity in organic and staged settings: Does it matter for tourists? Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 41(9), 1211–1226. DOI
  7. Pennington-Gray, L., & Lee, S. (2024). The demand for safety measures in the hospitality industry: Changes over three phases of a pandemic. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 122, 103873. DOI
  8. Hur, D., Lee, S., & Kim, H. (2024). The Impact of Airbnb on Long-Term Rental Markets in San Francisco: A Geospatial Analysis Using Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 13(9), Article 9. DOI
  9. Lee, S., Kim, M., & Kim, H. (2024). Relationality of Objective and Constructive Authenticities: Effects on Existential Authenticity, Memorability, and Satisfaction. Journal of Travel Research, 63(1), 195–214. DOI
  10. Lee, S., & Kim, H. (2023). Four shades of Airbnb and its impact on locals: A spatiotemporal analysis of Airbnb, rent, housing prices, and gentrification. Tourism Management Perspectives, 49, 101192. DOI
  11. Hur, D., Lee, S., & Kim, H. (2022). Are we ready for MICE 5.0? An investigation of technology use in the MICE industry using social media big data. Tourism Management Perspectives, 43, 100991. DOI
  12. Lee, S., & Kim, H. (2022). Understanding tourism related risk factors and risk response strategies: Application of meta-analysis and content analysis in tourism crisis management. Journal of Tourism and Leisure Research, 34(12), 5–25. DOI
  13. Choe, Y., Lee, S., & Kim, H. (2022). The Role of Tourists’ Expectations in Congruency on Forming Authenticity Perception and Memorable Tourism Experience. Journal of MICE & Tourism Research, 22(4), 201–222. DOI

Book Chapters

  1. Pennington-Gray, L., Lee, S., & Ballouli, K. (2024). Stakeholder Sentiment of SDGs of the Beijing Olympics 2020. In A. Sharma, M. Lesjak, & D. Borovčanin (Eds.), Sport Tourism, Events and Sustainable Development Goals: An Emerging Foundation (pp. 114–139).

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Externally Funded

Measuring the economic value of south carolina open spaces
State of South Carolina 2023

  • PI: Dr. Paul Gayes & Dr. Lori Pennington-Gray

Conceptualizing and developing scales for Fear of Missing Out(FOMO) and Joy of Missing Out(JOMO)
National Research Foundation of Korea 2021 — 2023

  • PI: Dr. Hany Kim

Understanding tourism related risk factors and risk response strategies: Application of meta-analysis and content analysis in tourism crisis management
National Research Foundation of Korea 2020 — 2021

  • PI: Dr. Hany Kim

Internally Funded

Decision to host under uncertainties: Prospects of short-term rental hosts and their impact on local economy
Global Fellowship Funding, Graduate School, Pusan National University 2023

  • PI: Miyeong Shim

PRESENTATIONS

International Conferences

  1. Lee, S., & Pennington-Gray, L. (2025). The Role of Intra-region Travelin Tourism Resilience. 30th Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism.
  2. Lee, S., & Pennington-Gray, L. (2025). Macro Understanding of Tourism Through Universal Forces Framework: Spatial Big Data Approach. 54th Annual Travel and Tourism Research Association International Conference.
  3. Lee, S., & Pennington-Gray, L. (2024). Anthropogenic impact of tourism on water: Spatiotemporal analysis of lake water quality. 29th Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism.
  4. Lee, S., Yeom, Y., & Kim, H. (2022). Quantifying the effect of Airbnb on renters: Spatial analysis of San Francisco residents’ rental spending. 92nd Annual Tourism Society of Korea International Conference.
  5. Lee, S., Kim, M., & Kim, H. (2022). Effect of perceived authenticity on tourism experience, satisfaction, and memorability: Differences between settings and authenticity orientations.. 52nd Annual Travel and Tourism Research Association International Conference.
  6. Kim, H., Lee, S., Hur, D., & An, J. (2022). Will metaverse forever change the meeting industry? A qualitative study on industry experts’ perspective.. 52nd Annual Travel and Tourism Research Association International Conference.
  7. Hur, D., Lee, S., & Kim, H. (2021). Use of event technologies in the era of MICE 5.0: Social media sentiment analysis approach.. 90th Annual Tourism Society of Korea International Conference.
  8. Lee, S., Gong, Y., Kim, H., & Schroeder, A. (2021). What does the landscape of tourist safety videos on social media look like? Exploring the presence of tourist safety videos on YouTube.. 51st Annual Travel and Tourism Research Association International Conference.

Regional / Non-refereed Conferences

  1. Ali, F., Kwon, A., Kumari, V., & Lee, S. (2025). The Power of AI Disclosure Uncovering the Empowerment–Algorithmic Control Paradox in Generative AI Cocreated Experiences. USC Graduate Scholar Roundtable
  2. Lee, S. (2025). Heterogeneity of Airbnb and Its Impact on Locals. 2025 South Carolina Short-term Vacation Rentals Workshop.
  3. Borji, S., Kim, M., Lee, S., & Zhang, J. (2025). The Power of AI Disclosure. 7th CIC Research & Creative Scholarship Symposium.
  4. Lee, S., & Pennington-Gray, L. (2024). Understanding Post-Pandemic Visitors for Managing Recreational Waters in South Carolina. 2024 South Carolina Water Resources Conference.
  5. Lee, S., & Pennington-Gray, L. (2024). Value beyond money: Health benefits of recreational water accessibility. 9th biennial University of Florida Water Institute Symposium.

TEACHING

Undergraduate Courses

Foundations of tourism (HTMT280)
Instructor Fall 2025
Instructor (evaluation: 4.47 / 5.00) Spring 2025
Co-instructor (evaluation: 4.53 / 5.00) Fall 2024

Tourism resources (TC3500285)
Co-instructor Fall 2022

Special Seminars

Using Python for Tourism Research
Department of Tourism and Convention, Pusan National University Dec 2022

  • Introductory programming seminar for master’s and doctoral students

HONORS AND AWARDS

Paper Awards

Best big data research award
90th Annual Tourism Society of Korea International Conference Jul 2021

3 Minute Thesis (3MT) runner up
51st Annual Travel and Tourism Research Association International Conference Jun 2021

Honors / Other Awards

Outstanding doctoral student researcher of the year
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sports Management, University of South Carolina Apr 2025

  • Given to an exemplary doctoral student who has shown outstanding contributions and academic achievements in scholarly research

Alumni award of excellence
Pusan National University Alumni Faculty Association Jul 2023.

  • Given to the outstanding future doctoral student who completed undergraduate and graduate studies at Pusan National University

Summa Cum Laude
Pusan National University Feb 2021

  • Ranked 1st out of 44

Award of excellence
Hana Financial Group Feb 2021

  • Given to the student who set a positive example for other students and showed outstanding academic performance

Award of excellence
ASEAN-Korea Centre Jan 2018

  • Given to the team who showed outstanding performance and a high level of dedication toward the final presentation

Best Student Tutor Award
Center for Teaching and Learning, Pusan National University Dec 2017

Global competitiveness project award
Department of Global Studies, Pusan National University Dec 2017

  • Topic: Sustainable clothing and rentable fashion

Fellowships / Scholarships

Presidential fellowship
Graduate School, University of South Carolina Aug 2023 — Present

  • University-wide fellowship for students who have shown track record of significant accomplishments and special interests, exceptional creativity, commitment to improving the lives of others, and capacity for leadership.

Graduate scholarship for excellence
Graduate School, Pusan National University Mar 2021 — Feb 2023

  • University-wide scholarship for graduate students who have shown track record of academic excellence.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Freelance Interpreter and Translator Mar 2020 — Aug 2022

  • Interpreter and translator for American International School Chennai
  • Listed translator at APlus Translations Inc., Cadence Translate Inc, and WhizWordz International Pte. Ltd.
  • Consecutive interpretation for virtual meetings
  • Translated publications and documents in Korean, English, and Japanese
  • Localization of the website and mobile application

Navy Interpreter (Enlisted, Petty Officer Second Class)
Commander Third Fleet, Republic of Korea Navy May 2018 — Feb 2020

  • On-the-bridge interpreter
  • Facilitated 2019 ASEAN Defense Minister’s Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus)
  • Consecutive interpretation for Commander, Maritime Battle Group 3 (Capt.)

Interpreter and Designated Liaison Officer Jan 2016 — Apr 2018

  • Provided interpretations and liaison services for government officials
  • Designated Liasson officer assigned to minister of finance of Niger during 2018 African Development Bank Annual Meeting
  • Designated Liasson officer assigned to minister of foreign affairs of Brunei during 2017 Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation

ACADEMIC MEMBERSHIPS AND SERVICES

Memberships

  • Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) 2020 — Present
  • American Association of Geographers (AAG) 2023 — Present

Journal Reviewer

  • Local Development and Society

Conference Services

Poster session reviewer
Discover USC 2025 Apr 2025

Conference reviewer
30th Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism Jan 2025

Volunteer
54th Annual Travel and Tourism Research Association International Conference Jun 2024

Volunteer
2024 SECSA CHRIE Conference Mar 2024

Poster session reviewer
29th Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism Jan 2023

OTHER SERVICES

Advisory council
Presidential fellowship, University of South Carolina Aug 2023 — Present

  • 2023-2024 cohort representative

Rising star fellows mentorship
Graduate school, University of South Carolina Jan 2024

  • Participated in mentorship session about doctoral program application

Student ambassador
Department of Global Studies, Pusan National University Mar 2017 — Feb 2018

  • Outreach role for Global Studies Program

Student tutor
Pusan National University Sep 2017 — Dec 2017

  • Subjcet: TC16185-Introdcution to accounting

Service Monitor
BEXCO (Busan Exhibition & Convention Center) Dec 2016 — Dec 2017

  • Participated in exhibitions held in BEXCO and gave feedback for improving facility operation and visitor experience

Open campus student ambassador
Department of Tourism and Convention, Pusan National University Mar 2016 — Dec 2017

  • Organized tours of the campus for high school students
  • Hosted information and Q&A sessions for potential applicants

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

ASEAN Community-Based Tourism Program
ASEAN-Korea Centre Jan 2018

  • Korean representative
  • Improving community-based tourism in Mae Kampong Village, Thailand