PhD in Interaction Science

Sungkyunkwan University's doctoral program in Interaction Science, offered in Jongno-gu, South Korea, trains researchers to study how people interact with technology, information, and one another, drawing on psychology, computer science, and design. Doctoral coursework covers human-computer interaction, cognitive science, user experience research methods, and social computing, giving candidates a cross-disciplinary foundation before they focus on a specific dissertation topic. Research directions commonly pursued within the program include the design and evaluation of digital interfaces, human behavior in online and social media environments, human-robot and human-AI interaction, and the cognitive and social factors that shape how people use technology. Because instruction is conducted in English, the program draws doctoral candidates from psychology, computer science, design, and communication backgrounds across many countries who want to conduct research at the intersection of these fields. Graduates typically move into research roles at technology companies focused on user experience and product design, positions at national research institutes, or academic careers teaching and researching interaction science and human-computer interaction. South Korea's large technology sector gives doctoral students opportunities to collaborate with industry on applied interaction and user research relevant to their dissertations. The program runs for four years, with new doctoral students admitted in both March and September of every year, giving applicants flexibility in choosing a start date. Through a combination of coursework, empirical research, and an independent dissertation, students build the interdisciplinary research skills needed to study human interaction with technology, communicating their findings in English throughout the doctorate.