Chung is a doctoral student at Auckland University of Technology. Prior to coming to New Zealand, she earned master's degree in Thailand and spent about a decade teaching and conducting research on gender and development at a university in Vietnam.
Her doctoral research, which examines women’s vulnerability to disasters through the lens of intersectionality, is a stride towards promoting gender equality and empowerment. It offers a more inclusive approach to address not only to disaster risks but also social inequities that women experience in everyday life. Given that intersectionality frameworks are still underdeveloped in New Zealand, both theoretically and practically, her research findings will be of direct benefit to organisations striving to build disaster resilience and address social inequities for vulnerable groups, especially women from diverse backgrounds.
As a migrant woman pursuing a PhD in New Zealand, she hope to inspire other migrant women and disadvantaged groups to pursue their educational dreams. Her ambition aligns with Graduate Women New Zealand’s mission of fostering women’s education and empowerment, contributing to a more inclusive society.