Dr Karen Jiyun Sung

Karen Jiyun Sung is a researcher in applied storytelling, participatory research and digital creativity at Loughborough University. Building from her background as an illustrator and visual storyteller of more than 10 years, she strives to use immersive technologies with the power of community storytelling without the burden of social obligations.

She received her PhD from Loughborough University in Creative Arts and Applied Storytelling and MA from Royal College of Art in Visual Communication. Outside research, she is also an active illustrator, scribe and comic artist.

My research's main themes are identity storytelling and participatory illustration research. I am looking at how community drawing within storytelling sessions can help participants illuminate their stories better.

I have applied my research on various research projects across the UK and Europe, for example on MARS - Erasmus+ Project and on Certify Project. I strive to continue sharing my knowledge and passion around identity illumination and applied storytelling in future projects.

I have been teaching illustration at BA and MA levels for more than 10 years. The subjects of my teaching include Narrative / Sequential Storytelling, Conceptual Illustration, Drawing and Plein Air Sketching.