Su Yeong Kim

@suyeongkim.bsky.social

Dr. Su Yeong Kim is a leading scholar on immigrant families, bilingualism & youth development. Professor at UT Austin, Editor of JRA, NIH/NSF-funded. Her work advances research on language brokering & cultural resilience.

Ever had to translate adult conversations as a kid? Doctors’ visits, parent-teacher meetings… It’s called language brokering and it can be both empowering and overwhelming. In my new article, I share how parents can turn this challenge into growth. Read here: www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/empo...

Empowering Young Interpreters as Language Brokers

Young language brokers are young interpreters who bridge cultural divides, support families, and foster inclusive, multilingual communities worldwide.

psychologytoday.com

How does family support help young people navigate discrimination? In my latest article, I share findings from our multi-wave study on Mexican-origin families, revealing how emotional support within families can protect youth against the harmful effects of bias. medium.com/@dr.suyeongk...

How Family Support Counters Discrimination: Dr.

Dr. Su Yeong Kim and colleagues examine how experiences of discrimination and practices of ethnoracial socialization affect mental health…

medium.com

This was a fantastic read! This book explores how ice was initially only for the rich, yet evolved to be for everyone and everywhere in today’s society. I definitely recommend reading this👍

Bild

These words ring especially true in immigrant and bilingual families. Language brokering isn’t just about translation—it’s emotional work that shapes trust, empathy, and relational strength. Every act of interpretation for their family becomes a moment of connection or tension.

When a Relationship Is Both Very Good and Very Bad

Ambivalent relationships occur when partners have both strong positive and strong negative feelings toward each other at the same time, often due to attachment style.

psychologytoday.com

Tip for future researchers: Ask the hard questions. It’s easy to get stuck in the small details of research, but sometimes the most impactful findings come from asking questions that challenge the status quo. The bigger the question, the bigger the impact.

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month — a reminder that mental health matters in every community. As educators, we have a role to play in advocating for mental health services that help all youth and families feel seen, supported, and valued.

"Although language brokering is common, many people look down on it." Reflecting on this insight, I hope we continue nurturing bilingual youth—recognizing their resilience and developmental strength. Read my published interview here: 🔗 girlpowertalk.com/people-we-ad... #LanguageBrokering

Dr. Su Yeong Kim’s Journey to Advocacy Through Research

Dr. Su Yeong Kim shares her journey from being a young immigrant to advocating for immigrant-origin children through research.

girlpowertalk.com