About Me
Hello, I’m Yoonyoung Cho, a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at Georgia State University. I study how peoples’ experiences with climate-related disaster shape their political attitudes, public opinion, and support for climate policy. My research centers on the intersection of political behavior, climate politics, and environmental political economy, with a regional focus on the United States, Europe, and East & Southeast Asia.
My Dissertation
My dissertation and book project, Experiencing Climate Disasters and Shaping Climate Policy, develops the concept of political climate concern—the moment when climate risk perceptions become politically meaningful and translate into demands for government action. Through meta-analysis, survey data, and quasi-experimental designs, I show how personal experience with climate-related disasters shapes political priorities and support for different types of climate policies.
Research Agenda
My broader work explores how climate concern becomes politicized across different governance systems. I extend my research to East and Southeast Asia, where climate impacts are severe, institutions vary widely, and public attitudes toward climate governance evolve in unique ways. These regions offer critical cases for understanding the political economy of climate policy and democratic responsiveness. I bring to this research early experience in Chinese politics, collaboration with faculty across disciplines in East Asian Studies, and field-based NGO work in Myanmar, where I observed firsthand how communities translate environmental risks into political claims.
Teaching & Mentorship
I have taught American Government and Global Issues for several semesters and completed formal pedagogy training focused on inclusive and effective instruction. Working with Georgia State University’s diverse student community has shaped my approach to active learning, mentorship, and communication. Looking ahead, I am excited to teach courses in American Government and International Relations, as well as Climate Political Economy, Environmental Policy, Political Behavior, Comparative Politics, and related courses that connect climate politics to broader questions of governance and democracy.
