Dae-Kun Kim

Dae-Kun Kim, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the English Program at Gallaudet University, where he combines his passion for storytelling, culture, and visual art. Originally from Korea and raised in sunny California, Dae-Kun bridges worlds—East and West, language and image, research and imagination.

His research examines how Deaf readers interact with graphic novels, manga, and comics, and how these visual genres foster literacy, identity, and joy. He is especially interested in Asian Deaf culture and literature, investigating how Deaf creators and readers across Asia express their stories, values, and perspectives through art and narrative. His recent projects center on using graphic novels to foster a love of reading among Deaf elementary students.

A proud Gallaudet alumnus, Dae-Kun earned his Ph.D. in Critical Studies in the Education of Deaf Learners, along with an Educational Specialist degree. He also holds a Master of Science in Secondary Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (English Instruction) and a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology. His master’s capstone, Reading Graphic Novels: Understanding and Appreciation by Deaf College Level Students, laid the groundwork for his lifelong research in visual literacy and Deaf readers’ experiences.

Dae-Kun is also a dynamic educator who has taught a wide range of courses, including First Year Seminar, Utilizing Critical Literacy through Graphic Novels, Introduction to Korea, and Reframing History through Critical Theory. He has also taught in the Department of Education and the English Language Institute, working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing students from around the world—including China, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Norway, Venezuela, and Korea.

When he’s not teaching or researching, Dae-Kun can be found exploring new graphic novels, curating stories that amplify Deaf voices, or diving into the intersections of art, identity, and culture across the global Deaf community.