Dr. Bronwen Dalton and Dr. Kyungja Jung

Kyungja Jung, PhD
Associate Professor
Social and Political Sciences Program
University of Technology, Sydney

North Korea’s Women-led Grassroots Capitalism
Dr. Bronwen Dalton and Dr. Kyungja Jung

Routledge (December 2023)

In their newly released book, North Korea’s Women-led Grassroots Capitalism, co-authors Bronwen Dalton and Kyungja Jung of the University of Technology, Sydney explore the transformative role of women in North Korea’s evolving economic landscape. Amidst the backdrop of North Korea’s economic and social transitions, the book uncovers a remarkable trend: the majority of traders and merchants in the country’s emerging informal market economy are women. This pivotal work provides an in-depth analysis of the intertwining of gender roles and economic changes in North Korea, offering a rich and detailed narrative based on extensive original research.

The book sheds light on the dynamic evolution of women’s roles in North Korean society, extending beyond economic participation to influence family relationships, cultural identity, and even issues of sexuality and reproduction. It seeks to offer a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and realities faced by North Korean women, painting a nuanced picture of their status and role in a society often perceived as rigidly totalitarian. Through the lens of these women’s experiences, the authors explore the limits of social control in North Korea, revealing a complex, layered society where women navigate both authoritarian structures and the constraints of a patriarchal system.

Set to be a significant contribution to the ASAA Women in Asia book series, “North Korea’s Women-led Grassroots Capitalism” is a must-read for scholars, academics, and practitioners in the field of nonprofit studies. It offers valuable insights into the agency of ordinary women in North Korea, challenging common perceptions and highlighting the multifaceted nature of social and economic change in this enigmatic country.

Dr. Bronwen Dalton is a distinguished academic and practitioner in the field of not-for-profit and social enterprise, currently serving as the Professor and Director of the Masters of Not-for-Profit and Social Enterprise Program at the University of Technology, Sydney. In addition to her academic role, she is the founder and CEO of Ruff Sleepers, a unique charity that washes the dogs of homeless individuals, advocating for the importance of pet ownership for mental and physical well-being and improved housing options for homeless pet owners. Dr. Dalton’s career has been marked by significant positions, including her tenure as the Co-Director of the UTS Centre for Cosmopolitan Civil Societies in 2015 and the National Manager of Research at Mission Australia in 2012.

Her academic credentials are equally impressive. Dr. Dalton completed her PhD at the University of Oxford, where she received the Oxford University Larkinson Award for Social Studies. She was also a recipient of the British Vice-Chancellors Committee Overseas Research Scholarship and the Korea Foundation Scholarship. Further enhancing her academic background, she holds a BA from the Australian National University and an MA from Yonsei University, Korea. Dr. Dalton’s research interests are extensive, covering topics like NFP childcare, social enterprises, advocacy, and international NGOs. She has published studies on these subjects, including a co-authored book on combating sex trafficking. Her expertise has led her to hold positions on various boards and editorial committees, including the Australia Korea Foundation and the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly journal. Notably, her profound interest in Korea led to her involvement as a Director of the National Korean Studies Centre and her significant research on North Korea’s economic transformation, especially the role of women in the emerging market economy, under an ARC Discovery grant.

Dr. Kyungja Jung, an Associate Professor in the Social and Political Sciences Program at the University of Technology, Sydney, is distinguished for her research driven by her involvement in women’s activism in Australia and Korea. Her work, deeply rooted in feminist theory and the intersectionality of gender and sexuality, focuses on areas such as women’s movements, policies related to women, challenges faced by North Korean female defectors, and violence against women, especially among migrant populations. Dr. Jung is recognized for her innovative approach to bringing gender perspectives to North Korean issues, a significant contribution to gender and Asian studies.

Her academic credentials include a pioneering doctoral thesis from the University of New South Wales, comparing civil society and women’s movements in South Korea and Australia. Dr. Jung’s impactful research has led to her receiving an ARC International Fellowship and has been featured in prestigious publications. She has authored several books, including “Practicing Feminism in South Korea: sexual violence and the women’s movement” and is currently working on “North Korea’s Women-led Grassroots Capitalism” with Professor Bronwen Dalton. A sought-after speaker, her research findings have been presented at various international forums, influencing debates and discussions in the field of women’s rights and social policy.

Dr. Roseanne Mirabella and Dr. Richard Hoefer

Roseanne Mirabella, PhD
Professor
Department of Political Science and Public Affairs
Seton Hall University

Richard Hoefer, PhD
Professor of Social Work
The University of Texas at Arlington

The latest Special Issue of the Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership, “Disciplinary Perspectives in Nonprofit Management,” includes a thought-provoking piece co-authored by Roseanne Mirabella, Professor at Seton Hall University, and Richard Hoefer, Professor of Social Work at The University of Texas at Arlington. Their article, “Two Perspectives on Nonprofit Management Education: Public Administration and Social Work,” takes a unique approach by directly comparing and contrasting these two disciplines. This Special Issue aims to underscore the uniqueness of various disciplines in understanding nonprofit organizations and education.

Mirabella and Hoefer’s contribution is pivotal in highlighting how nonprofit management is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing on insights from both public administration and social work. They argue that the intellectual trajectories, frameworks, and questions characteristic of each discipline significantly influence the development and teaching of their respective curricula. The authors adeptly navigate through four key areas: the historical roots of each discipline, their core values, the challenges faced in management education within these fields, and their responses to critical perspectives in nonprofit management education. By examining the evolution and fundamental values of public administration and social work, the article sheds light on current challenges and the importance of incorporating alternative, critical perspectives in nonprofit management education. This piece is not just an academic comparison but a call to deepen our understanding of these disciplines’ contributions to shaping effective nonprofit management education today.

Roseanne M. Mirabella, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs at Seton Hall University. She conducts research on philanthropy and nonprofit education and critical perspectives on nonprofit organizing. She has authored or co-authored several papers and one co-edited book “Reframing Nonprofit Organizations: Democracy, Inclusion and Social Change” exploring the ways in which nonprofit management education programs can prepare students both to lead organizations as well as for their important role as advocates for the communities they serve, particularly communities that have been historically marginalized. She is past President of the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA), the New Jersey Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, and is a member of the ARNOVA Critical Perspectives Leadership Team.

Dr. Richard Hoefer, a Professor of Social Work at The University of Texas at Arlington, is deeply committed to enhancing the effectiveness of human service agencies. His professional mission is centered around the critical question, “What makes for a more effective human service agency?” This inquiry drives his multifaceted interests in program evaluation, administration, advocacy, and budgeting within the realm of social work. Dr. Hoefer is particularly passionate about improving understanding of the policy process, empowering social workers to create positive change in the world. His research spans a wide range of areas including nonprofit capacity building, organization management, advocacy, civic engagement, American and Swedish social policy, and program evaluation. He imparts knowledge in these same areas as an educator, author, and consultant. Dr. Hoefer’s commitment to providing research-based solutions is a testament to his dedication to addressing societal problems, organizational challenges, and the needs of clients, students, and the broader community with respect, fairness, and competence.