Research Summary
I have published seven books/edited volumes, 62 articles, 20 book chapters, 5 UNESCO reports, and 18 curricular and public access units locally and internationally in comparative and international education; education, conflict and peacebuilding; and critical approaches to education.
My research draws on the disciplines of sociology and philosophy of education, and I have interdisciplinary interests in global affairs and international justice/human rights, (post)qualitative inquiry, posthumanism/diffraction, posttruth, and decolonizing higher education. My research agenda is here.
Publications
2026
- Kester, K., Park, B., Gerstner, N., & Seo, R. (2026). Healing the Scars of War: Teaching for Peace through Higher Education in Divided and Conflict-Affected Contexts. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education. (Green Open Access here)
- Kester, K., & Misiaszek, G. (eds.) (2026). Conflict, Peace, and Teaching in Higher Education. Special Issue of Teaching in Higher Education. London: Routledge.
- Kester, K., & Misiaszek, G. (2026). Editorial: Unsettling Conflict and Peace through Teaching in Higher Education: Diverse Contexts, Approaches, and Pedagogic Possibilities. Teaching in Higher Education. (Open Access)
- Snauwaert, D., Clarke-Habibi, S., Imoh, C., Kester, K., Tarugarira, S., & Yudkin, A. (eds.). (2026). International Handbook on Peace Education. London, UK: Routledge.
- Lee, W.O., Kester, K., & Eom, J.M. (eds.) (2026). A Modern Guide to Education in East Asia: Globalization and Local Intersections. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.
- Lee. W.O., Kester, K., & Eom, J.M. (2026). Education in East Asia: Cases of Globalization, Nationalization, Indigenization and Contextualization. In W.O. Lee, K. Kester, & J.M. Eom (eds.), A Modern Guide to Education in East Asia: Globalization and Local Intersections. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.
- Kester, K. (2026). Asia as Method in Korean Higher Education: Toward Transformative Possibilities. Journal of International and Comparative Education. (Open Access)
- Kester, K. (2026). Education for Peace in South Korea: Diverse Approaches and Contemporary Implications. Global Commons Review, 4. (Invited contribution from UNESCO Chair - Paulo Freire Institute at UCLA). (Open Access)
- Kester, K., with Brehm, W. (2026, February 2). Peace Education in Divided Settings. FreshEd Podcast, 412. (Open Access)
- Park, H., & Kester, K. (2026). Navigating the Postcritical Turn in Multicultural Education: A Case Study of South Korean Elementary School Teachers’ Diverse Orientations. Korean Journal of Comparative Education, 36 / 비교교육연구.
2025
- Kester, K. (2025). Peace Education as a Form of Global Citizenship Education in Universities in Divided Settings: Challenges and Prospects. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education. (Open Access)
Kester, K., Chang, Y., Lim, E., & Hwang, H. (2025). Postcritical Global Citizenship Education in Practice: Insights from Punjab, Pakistan. Globalisation, Societies and Education. (Green Open Access here)
Kester, K., Eom, J.M., & Chen, S. (2025). Peacebuilding through Education in Northeast Asia: A Critical Reflection on a Peace Education Common Curriculum Guide Project. Asia Pacific Journal of Education. (Green Open Access here)
Kester, K. (2025). Global Agendas, Local Realities: Toward a Postcritical Approach to Peace/Global Citizenship Education in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings. NORRAG Policy Insights. (Open Access)
Kester, K., Abura, M., Bickmore, K., Brantmeier, E., Cawagas, V., Cremin, H., Gerstner, N., Joo, C., Kartha, R., McInerney, W., Seo, L., Toh, S.H., & Xie, T. (2025). Pedagogies of Peace and Coexistence in a More-Than-Human World: An Intergenerational Dialogue on Educational Peacebuilding and Climate Action Around the Globe. In A. Wiseman, E. Anderson, L. Damaschke-Deitrick, E. Galegher, N. Dzotsenidze, & M. Park (Eds.), Handbook on Comparative Education (pp. 459-480). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishers.
Kester, K., Kim, H., Kwon, S.J., Lu, D., Maruyama, Y., Matsui, K., Yu, Y., & Brantmeier, E. (2025). Peace Education Research in East Asia, 2020-2025: Key Works Published in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Asia Pacific Education Review, 26. (Open Access)
Joo, C., Dong, K., Kim, S., Park, B., Ehrenzeller, C., Patel, J., Brantmeier, E., & Kester, K. (2025). Exploring the Crossroads of Ecological Civilization and Peace Education: Interdisciplinary Dialogues on Sustainable Development. In M. Peters, B. Green, & Z. Xudong (eds), Handbook of Ecological Civilization: Concept, Philosophy, Policy, and Pedagogy. New York: Springer.
Chang, S.-Y., & Kester, K. (2025). From the Inside Out and Outside In: A Duoethnographic Reflection on the Borderlands of English-Medium Instruction. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education.
Na, Y., & Kester, K. (2025). Understanding the Professional Identity of Overseas Korean Schoolteachers: The Case of Korean Transnational Educators in One School in Southeast Asia. International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives, 24, 1-22. (Open Access)
Park, K., Kester, K., & Yoo, S.S. (2025). An Exploratory Study on Rwandan Peace Educators’ Perceptions and Experiences of the Use of Technology in Peace Education. Korean Journal of Comparative Education / 비교교육연구. (Open Access)
Kester, K. (2025). Educational Research for Peace and Conflict Transformation. In D. Kim (ed.), Talking about Innovation and Coexistence with Professors in the Department of Education at Seoul National University (pp. 174-192). Seoul: Park Young-Sa.
2024
Kester, K., & Misiaszek. G. (2024). Four Essential Questions for Teaching Conflict for Peace, Justice, and Sustainability: Higher Education Roles and Responsibilities. Teaching in Higher Education, 30, 277-292. (Open Access)
Kester, K., Hwang, H., Chang, Y., Lim, E., & Cheema, A. I. (2024). Situational Analysis for GCED Curriculum Development & Integration (CDI) Project in Pakistan. Seoul: UNESCO-APCEIU.
Kester, K., Park, B., Joo, C., Park, K., & Chang, Y. (2024). Researching Ethically in Conflict-Affected Contexts: Examples from Educational Research Practice in the Global South and Global East. Korean Journal of Educational Research / 교육학연구, 62, 1-36. [in Korean here; in Chinese here] (Open Access)
Kurian, N., Hajir, B., & Kester, K. (2024). Protecting and Supporting Children and Women Affected by Gender-Based Violence: The Role of Education in Survivor Wellbeing. Journal of Peace Education. (Open Access)
Brantmeier, E., Gerson, J., Imoh, C., Kester, K., Morrison, M.L., Snauwaert, D., & Wintersteiner, W. (2024). Honoring the Peacebuilders: In Memory of Betty A. Reardon and Ian Harris. Journal of Peace Education, 21, 1-15.
Kester, K., Archer, T., & Bryant, S. (2024). Diffraction, Transrational Perspectives, and Peace Education: New Possibilities. In H. Tjersland & Paula Facci (Eds.), Transrational Perspectives in Peace Education. London: Routledge. (Reprint of 2019 Journal of Peace Education article)
Kester, K., & Chang, S.-Y. (2024). Whither Epistemic (In)justice? English Medium Instruction in Conflict-Affected Contexts. In I. Bhatt, K. Badwan, & M. Madiba (Eds.), Critical Perspectives on Teaching in the Multilingual University. London: Routledge. (Reprint of 2022 Teaching in Higher Education article)
2023
Chen, S., Eom, J.M., Kester, K. (2023). Common Curriculum Guide for Peace Education in Northeast Asia. Seoul, Korea: UNESCO-APCEIU.(Open Access)
Kester, K. (2023). Curriculum for the New Master of Arts Degree Program in Education, Conflict and Peacebuilding. Hargeisa, Somaliland: University of Hargeisa.
Kester, K., Seo, R., & Gerstner, N. (2023). Prefigurative Pedagogies for Working Toward Peace and Justice in Changing Times: Insights from Korea. Journal of Peace Education, 21, 108-133. (Open Access)
Kester, K., Zembylas, M., Brantmeier, E., & Hajir, B. (2023). Afterword: Reflections on a Post/Critical Peace Education. In T. Archer, W. McInerney, & B. Hajir (eds.), Innovations in Peace and Education Praxis: Transdisciplinary Reflections and Insights (pp. 196-209). London: Routledge. (Open Access)
Patel, J., & Kester, K. (2023). Reflective Research in Peace Education: Theory and Practice. In T. Archer, W. McInerney, & B. Hajir (eds.), Innovations in Peace and Education Praxis: Transdisciplinary Reflections and Insights (pp. 65-81). London: Routledge.
Kester, K. (ed.) (2023). Revisiting “Asia as Method” in Education Research: Toward Ontologies and Epistemologies of Difference. Special Issue of Asia Pacific Education Review. New York: Springer.
Kester, K. (2023). Editorial: Revisiting “Asia as Method” in Education Research: Problems and Prospects. Asia Pacific Education Review, 24, 181-186. (Open Access)
Kester, K., Masemann, V., Takayama, K., & Hayhoe, R. (2023). Learning from Asia: An APER Collective Response to the Special Issue on “Asia as Method”. Asia Pacific Education Review, 24, 281-289.
Lim, E., & Kester, K. (2023). Korean Middle School Teachers’ Perceptions and Teaching Practices of Multicultural Education: A Qualitative Case Study. International Journal of Multicultural Education. (Open Access)
Han, S.H., Kim, Y., Kwag, Y., & Kester, K. (2023). Editorial: What Does “Asia-Pacific” Mean to APER? Toward High-Quality Scholarship and Inclusive Practices in International Education. Asia Pacific Education Review, 24.
2022
Kim, Y., Kester, K., & Han, S.H. (2022). Editorial: Interesting, But Are We Convinced? The Importance of Methodological Rigor at Asia Pacific Education Review. Asia Pacific Education Review, 23, 209-210.
Kester, K. (2022). Global Citizenship Education and Peace Education: Toward a Postcritical Praxis. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 55, 45-56. (Open Access)
Kester, K., Abura, M., Sohn, C.W., & Rho, E. (2022). Higher Education Peacebuilding in Conflict-Affected Societies: Beyond the Good/Bad Binary. International Journal of Comparative Education and Development, 24, 160-176. (Open Access)
Kester, K., & Chang, C. (2022). Whither Epistemic (In)justice? English Medium Instruction in Conflict-Affected Contexts. Teaching in Higher Education, 27, 437-452.
Eom, J.M., & Kester, K. (2022). Education for Peace and International Understanding in the Asia-Pacific: Trends and New Directions. Springer International Handbook of Education Development in the Asia-Pacific. New York: Springer.
Velasco, A., & Kester, K. (2022). Building a Culture of Peace through Non-Formal Education: The Case of Colombia’s Memory Museum. Korean Journal of Comparative Education / 비교교육연구, 38, 1-38. (Open Access)
2021
Kester, K. (2021). Toward a Conflict-Sensitive Approach to Higher Education Pedagogy: Lessons from Afghanistan and Somaliland. Teaching in Higher Education.
Kester. K., Park, S.Y., & Sohn, C.W. (2021). The Intersections of Peace Education and Global Citizenship Education: Some Theoretical Foundations and New Pedagogic Possibilities. Korean Journal of Educational Research / 교육학연구, 59, 25-54. (Awarded the 2022 Unju Prize for Research Excellence from the Korean Educational Research Association for Best Research Paper in 2021) (Open Access)
Kester, K. (2021). Peace Education as Education for Global Citizenship: A Primer. In E. Aboagye & D. Nombuso (Eds.), Global Citizenship and Social Justice Education: Theory and Practice. Toronto, ON: U. of Toronto Press.
Kester, K. (trans by Rira Seo) (2021, December 31). Trauma in the Classroom: How Conflict- Sensitive Practices Can Support Students from War Zones [교실 안의 트라우마: 어떻게 분쟁에 민감한 실천활동이 전쟁 지역에서 온 학생들을 도울 수 있을까]. Korean Educational Research Association Newsletter (in Korean).
Kester, K. (trans by Rira Seo) (2021, October 11). Working with Students from Conflict Zones [갈등, 분쟁지역 출신 학생들과 함께하기]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). (OpEd)
2020
Kester, K. (2020). The United Nations and Higher Education: Peacebuilding, Social Justice and Global Cooperation for the 21st Century. Foreword by H. Cremin and Afterword by M. Zembylas. Leeds, UK: Emerald Publishing.
Kester, K., Sweeney, L., Chang, C., Watkins, M., & Cha, J.-M. (2020). Decolonizing Higher Education: Some Practical Examples from International and Intercultural Educators in Korea. The Korea TESOL Journal, 16, 27-53. (Awarded the Best Research Paper of the Year Award by Korea TESOL Journal for 2020)
Hajir, B., & Kester, K. (2020). Toward a Decolonial Praxis in Critical Peace Education: Postcolonial Insights and Pedagogic Possibilities. Studies in Philosophy and Education, 39, 515-532.
Kester, K., Aryoubi, H., & Kaldayeva, B. (2020). Peace Profile: Betty A. Reardon — Nurturing a Global Culture of Peace and Peace Education. Peace Review, 31, 557-564.
Kester, K. (2020, April 16). Truth, Posttruth, and COVID-19: Some Educational Responses. Global Campaign for Peace Education Newsletter.
Cremin, H., & Kester, K. (2020). Bare-Foot Hope for Peace: Vulnerability in Peace Learning. In M. McKenna & E. Brantmeier (Eds.), Pedagogy of Vulnerability (pp. 25-41). Leeds, UK: Emerald Publishing.
Kester, K. (2020). Postmodernism in Post-Truth Times. In M. Peters, M. Tesar, L. Jackson, and L. Besley (Eds.), What Comes After Postmodernism in Educational Theory? (pp. 34-35) London: Routledge. (Reprint of 2018 Educational Philosophy and Theory article)
Eom, J.M., Kester, K., & Lee, T. (eds.) (2020). Multiple Pandemics: Beyond COVID-19 and Inequality Toward Global Solidarity. Seoul, Korea: UNESCO-APCEIU. (UNESCO-APCEIU translated report from Korean)
Kester, K., Park, S.Y., Abura, M., Velasco, A., & Lim, E. (2020). Final Report of the 5th International Conference on Global Citizenship Education Pedagogy and Practice: Fostering Solidarity and Hope through GCED. Seoul: UNESCO-APCEIU. (UNESCO-APCEIU commissioned report)
2019
Kester, K., Zembylas, M., Sweeney, L., Lee, K., Kwon, S.-J., & Kwon, J-I. (2019). Reflections on Decolonizing Peace Education in Korea: A Critique and Some Decolonial Pedagogic Strategies. Teaching in Higher Education, 26, 145-164. (Selected by Teaching in Higher Education as the Article of the Month in the March 2021 Issue of TIHE)
Kester, K. (2019). Whiteness, Patriarchy, and Peacebuilding in UN Higher Education: Some Theoretical and Pedagogical Implications from One Case Institution. Irish Educational Studies, 38, 481-499.
Kester, K. (2019). Editorial: Education, Fragile States, and Peacebuilding. Somaliland Peace and Development Journal, 3, 6-8.
Kester, K., & Aryoubi, H. (2019). Paulo Freire, Citizenship and Education. In A. Peterson, G. Stahl, & H. Soong (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Citizenship and Education. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Kester, K., Archer, T., & Bryant, S. (2019). Diffraction, Transrational Perspectives, and Peace Education: New Possibilities. Journal of Peace Education, 16, 274-295. (Selected as a model quality paper for the journal’s Equity and Access Special Collection in September 2022)
Cremin, H., Echavarria, J., & Kester, K. (2019). Transrational Peacebuilding Education to Reduce Epistemic Violence. In A. Donahoe and A. Wibben (Eds.), Teaching Peace and War: Pedagogy and Curricula (pp. 119-126). London: Routledge. (Reprint of 2018 Peace Review article)
Kester, K., Tsuruhara, T., & Archer, T. (2019). Peacebuilding Education in Posttruth Times: Lessons from the Work of Betty A. Reardon. In D. Snauwaert (Ed.), Exploring Betty A. Reardon’s Perspective on Peace Education: Looking Back, Looking Forward (pp. 29-40). New York: Springer.
2018
Kester, K. (2018). Postmodernism in Posttruth Times. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 50, 1330-1331.
Kester, K. (2018). Korea’s Place in the Field: Internationalizing and Decolonizing Comparative Education for the 21st Century. Commentary Note on the 50th Anniversary of the Korean Comparative Education Society. KCES 50th Anniversary Resource Book (pp. 81-83). Seoul: KCES & UNESCO.
Kester, K. (2018). Reproducing Peace? A CRT Analysis of Whiteness in the Curriculum and Teaching at a University of the UN. Teaching in Higher Education, 24, 212-230.
Kester, K. (2018). Coproducing Peace: Beyond Psychologized Approaches — Toward a Transrational Onto-Epistemology and Dialogic Learning Community as the Foundations of Peace Education. In Factis Pax: Journal of Peace Education and Social Justice, 12, 1-24. (Open Access)
Komers, S., & Kester, K. (2018). Poststructural Democratic Education?: Assessing the Potentialities of a Non-Individualistic, Non-Instrumental, Action-Oriented Democratic Education. Education as Change, 22, 1-23. (Open Access)
Kurian, N., & Kester, K. (2018). Southern Voices in Peace Education: Interrogating Race, Marginalisation, and Cultural Violence in the Field. Journal of Peace Education, 15, 21-48.
Cremin, H., Echavarria, J., & Kester, K. (2018). Transrational Peacebuilding Education to Reduce Epistemic Violence. Peace Review, 30, 295-302.
Kester, K. (2018). Book Review of “Positive Peace in Schools: Tackling Conflict and Creating a Culture of Peace in the Classroom” by H. Cremin & T. Bevington, published by Routledge, 2017. British Journal of Educational Studies, 66, 280-283.
2017
Kester, K., & Cremin, H. (2017). Peace Education and Peace Education Research: Toward a Concept of Poststructural Violence and Second-Order Reflexivity. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 49, 1415-1427.
Kester, K. (2017). The Contribution (or Not) of UN Higher Education to Peacebuilding: An Ethnographic Account. Globalisation, Societies and Education, 15, 464-481.
Kester, K. (2017). The United Nations, Peace and Higher Education: Pedagogic Interventions in Neoliberal Times. Review of Education, Pedagogy and Cultural Studies, 39, 235-264.
Lee, K., Sweeney, L., & Kester, K. (2017). Critical Human Rights Education and Technologies of Peace: A Teleology Too Far? In M. Garrido (ed.), Human Rights and Technology: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (pp. 267-280). San Jose, Costa Rica: United Nations UPEACE Press.
Kester, K. (2017). A Peacebuilder’s Perspective on a Limited Nuclear Weapons Free Zone for Northeast Asia: Some Pedagogical Implications. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: Institute for Strategic Studies.
Kester, K. (2017). On Peace Capital: The Case of Academic Cultural Capital inside the United Nations and its Universities. Asian International Studies Review, 18, 51-75.
Parkinson, A., & Kester, K. (2017). Competing Paradigms for Basic Education: Human Capital and Human Capabilities and What They Mean for the World Bank and UNESCO. Cambridge Open-Review Educational Research e-Journal, 4, 94-113.
Kester, K., & Sweeney, L. (2017, April 12). International Studies in Korea. The Korea Times. (OpEd)
2016
Kester, K. (2016). The Case of Educational Peacebuilding Inside the United Nations Universities: A Review and Critique. Journal of Transformative Education, 15, 59-78.
Kester, K. (2016). Peace Education: An Impact Assessment of a Case Study of UNESCO-APCEIU and the University for Peace. In J. Lum (Ed.), Peace Education: Past, Present and Future (pp. 39-53). Abingdon, UK: Routledge. (Reprint of 2013 Journal of Peace Education article)
2014
Kester, K. (2014, Dec 29). Education and the United Nations. The Korea Times. (OpEd)
Kester, K. (2014, Dec 16). Education and political neutrality. The Taipei Times. (OpEd)
2013
Kester, K. (2013). Peace Education: An Impact Assessment of a Case Study of UNESCO-APCEIU and the University for Peace. Journal of Peace Education, 10, 157-171.
Kester, K. (2013). Peace Education Primer. AMI Journal: A Journal of the Montessori Australia Foundation, 1/2, 115-123. (Invited reprint of 2012 Journal of Global Citizenship and Equity Education paper)
Kester, K. (2013). Book Review of “Eurasian Inter-University Dialogues on Cooperation for Higher Education Development” by P. Wells & E. Gilder (Eds), published by UNESCO CEPES, 2011. European Journal of Higher Education, 3, 406-409.
Kester, K., & Koenig, N. (2013). Carrotmob: Where Values Meet Profit. Peace and Conflict Review, 7, 85-95.
2012
Kester, K. (2012). Peace Education Primer. Journal of Global Citizenship and Equity Education, 2, 62-75.
Kester. K. (2012). Education for Peace: Content, Form and Structure—Mobilizing Youth for Civic Engagement. The Paulinian Compass, 2, 122-140. (Invited reprint of 2010 Peace and Conflict Review article)
Kester, K. (2012, May 30). Korea and APEC: Changing Education Paradigms. The Korea Herald. (OpEd)
2011
Kester, K. (2011). Book Review of “Learning Citizenship by Practicing Democracy: International Initiatives and Perspectives” by E. Pinnington & D. Schugurensky, published by Cambridge Scholars Press, 2010. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 30, 422-426.
Kester, K. (2011). Book Review of “Democracy and Higher Education: Traditions and Stories of Civic Engagement” by S. Peters, published by Michigan State University Press, 2010. European Journal of Higher Education, 1, 94-97.
Kester, K. (2011, Oct 4). Letter to the Editor: Violence Continues. The Globe and Mail. (OpEd)
2010
Kester, K., & Booth, A. (2010). Education, Peace and Freire: A Dialogue. Development, 53, 498-503.
Kester, K. (2010). Education for Peace: Content, Form and Structure—Mobilizing Youth for Civic for Engagement. Peace and Conflict Review, 4, 58-67.
Kester, K. (2010). Betty Reardon and the International Institutes on Peace Education. In D. Schugurensky (Ed.), History of Education: Selected Moments of the Twentieth Century (online).
Kester, K. (2010). A Peace Education Unit on Media and Peace: Toward a Dialogue Across Civilizations. International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 7, 150-167.
Kester, K., & Morrissey, L. (2010, December 10). “The Legacy of Paulo Freire”: An Interview with Kevin Kester. Rome: Society for International Development.
2009
Kester, K., & Glustein, B. (2009). Linking Gender and Race in Peace Education: Pedagogies to Address Difference in the Classroom. Peace Prints: South Asian Journal for Peacebuilding, 2, 66-85.
Kester, K. (2009). Education for International Understanding and Education for Peace: Common Principles, Guidelines, Approaches, and Impact: Report of the 2009 APCEIU Asia-Pacific Training Workshop. Seoul: UNESCO-APCEIU. (UNESCO-APCEIU commissioned report)
2008
Kester, K. (2008). Developing Peace Education Programs: Beyond Ethnocentrism and Violence. Peace Prints: South Asian Journal for Peacebuilding, 1, 37-64. (Open Access)
Kester, K., & Huggins, K. (2008). The Earth Charter: Peace Education and Values for a Shared World. In Factis Pax: Journal of Peace Education and Social Justice, 2, 30-68.
Kester, K. (2008, November 15). Educating for Water Rights and Environmental Justice. Peace and Conflict Monitor.
Kester, K. (2008, January 20). Understanding Conflict and Artistic Approaches to Peacebuilding. UN Works, Department of Public Information at the United Nations. (Lesson plan commissioned by UN DPI)
Kester, K. (2008, January 20). A Peace Education Unit: Human Rights, Access, and Gender. UN Works, Department of Public Information at the United Nations. (Lesson plan commissioned by UN DPI)
2007
Kester, K. (2007). Peace Education: Experience and Storytelling as Living Education. Peace and Conflict Review 2, 1-14.
Shiva, V., Kester, K., & Jani, S. (2007). The Young Ecologist Initiative: Lesson Plans for Building Earth Democracy. New Delhi: Navdanya.
Full list of publications available at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kevin_Kester2