Professor Semee Yoon explores issues on sustainable development at the Graduate School of International Studies of Seoul National University. Her research interests lie primarily at the nexus of development and environment to enhance the livelihoods of the poor. She is also interested in innovative solutions to simultaneously alleviate poverty and pursue environmental sustainability. For example, she has worked on the impact evaluation of various solar energy solutions provided by a social enterprise in India. Professor Yoon received her B.A. in Economics and Ph.D. in Sustainable Development from Columbia University.
2022 – current
Assistant Professor of Sustainable Development
2016 – 2022
Assistant Professor of Sustainable Development and Cooperation,
Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Underwood International College, Yonsei University (with promotion to Associate)
May 2015
Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)
PhD in Sustainable Development
Faculty Fellow (2010-11), Teaching Fellow (2011-14), Dissertation Fellow (2014-15)
Dissertation: Essays onDevelopment Economics and Energy Access
May 2010
Columbia University, Columbia College
BA in Economics with a special concentration in sustainable development
Economics Departmental Honors, Cum Laude
- Ho, J. and Yoon, S. (2024) “Delivering sustainable development via social innovation: cases of social entrepreneurship in South Korea and Singapore,” Sustainable Development, early view.
- Lee, J. and Yoon, S. (2024) “Deciphering the Nexus between Sustainable Development and the Triple Bottom Line: Insights from B Corporations,” Journal of International and Area Studies, 31(1):97- 120.
- Joo, D. and Yoon, S. (2023) “Can Labeling Policies Facilitate Sustainable Consumption and Production?: A Case Study of a Government-led Ecolabeling Program in Indonesia.” International Development and Cooperation Review, 15(4):137-157.
- Ho, J. and Yoon, S. (2022) “Ambiguous roles of intermediaries in social entrepreneurship: The case of Social Innovation System in South Korea.” Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 175:121324.
- Choi, A., Jung, J. and Yoon, S. (2022) “Transboundary air pollution and health: Evidence from East Asia.” Environment and Development Economics, 27:120–144.
- Hwang, I. and Yoon, S. (2021) “Electrification, Labor Force Participation, and Perceived Social Status for Women in Rural China.” Asian Journal of Women’s Studies, 27(1):87-108.
- Kim, J. and Yoon, S. (2021) “On Discourse-Practice Misalignment: A mixed-method study of the World Bank’s education projects.” East and West Studies, 33(1):5-63. 2
- Son, H. and Yoon, S. (2020) “Reducing energy poverty: characteristics of household electricity use in Vietnam.” Energy for Sustainable Development, 59:62-70.
- Kang, Y., Kim, D, and Yoon, S. (2020) “Demand for solar home systems in Cambodia: Public awareness and willingness to pay from Takeo Province.” International Development and Cooperation Review, 12(1):69-85.
- Chung, M., Park, J., Choi, S., Kim, Y, and Yoon, S. (2020). “Present and future of higher education of Cambodia: The potential of an information delivery platform to promote inclusive educational opportunities.” International Development and Cooperation Review, 12(4):201-222.
- Numminen, S., Lund, P., Urpelainen, J. and Yoon, S. (2018) “In-depth analysis of reliability issues of solar pico-grids in rural areas.” Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 29:147-154.
- Numminen, S., Lund, P., Urpelainen, J. and Yoon, S. (2018) “An evaluation of dynamic electricity pricing for solar micro-grids in rural India.” Energy Strategy Reviews, 21:130-136.
- Chung, M., Kim, J. and Yoon, S. (2018) “Current status of Education for Sustainable Development in Christian universities: A Case Study of Chapel in Yonsei University.” University and Mission, 38:351-382.
- Urpelainen, J. and Yoon, S. (2017) “Can product demonstrations create markets for sustainable energy technology? A randomized controlled trial in rural India.” Energy Policy, 109:666-675.
- Kandlikar, M., Urpelainen, J. and Yoon, S. (2016) “Willingness to pay for solar lanterns: Does the trial period play a role?” Review of Policy Research, 33(3):291-315.
- Urpelainen, J. and Yoon, S. (2016) “Solar products for poor rural communities as a business: Lessons from a successful project in Uttar Pradesh, India.” Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 18:617–626. Urpelainen, J. and Yoon, S. (2015) “Solar home systems for rural India: Survey evidence on awareness and willingness to pay from Uttar Pradesh.” Energy for Sustainable Development. 24:70-78. 2015.
