About Me

Kahyun Choi is an Assistant Professor and a Luddy Fellow in the Department of Information and Library Science, Data Science Program, and Luddy Center for Artificial Intelligence in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indiana University Bloomington. She earned her Ph.D. in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Before her Ph.D., she also worked as a software engineer in Naver, a search engine company in Korea. Her research interests include ethical AI workflow for Libraries, Archives, and Museums (LAMs), music information retrieval, public library-based AI education program, computational lyrics analysis, and computational poetry analysis. Her research applies computational methods and machine learning algorithms to audio and text data. She has received awards and fellowships, including the 2023 IU Trustees Teaching Award, the 2022 Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Early Career Research Development Project Grant, the 2021 IMLS National Leadership Grant, and the 2021 Luddy Faculty Fellowship.

Contact Details

Kahyun Choi
700 N. Woodlawn Ave.
Luddy Hall 2106
Bloomington, IN 47408
choika AT iu DOT edu

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Positions Held

Indiana University Bloomington

Assistant Professor • Jan. 2019 - Present

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Co-Instructor • Fall 2016

Research Assistant • Aug. 2011 - Aug. 2016

Teaching Assistant • 2013 - 2015

Naver Corp.

Software Developer• Jan. 2009 - Jun. 2011

  • Member System Development Team

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

PhD in Library and Information Science• Dec. 2018

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

MS in Media Program • Feb. 2010

Ajou University

BE in Information and Computer Engineering • Feb. 2005

  • Division of Information and Computer Engineering
  • Graduated with honors

University of Illinois at Chicago

Exchange Student• Fall 2004

  • Dept. of Computer Science

Grant

Awarded Grants

  1. "Unbiased AI for Poetry Analysis: Toward Equitable and Diverse Digital Libraries,” Institute of Museum and Library Services, Early Career Research Development project of Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, Federal, $420,819, Aug. 2022 - Jul. 2025, Principal Investigator
  2. "AI for Literature,” Luddy Faculty Fellowship, Internal, $25,000, Nov. 2021 - Oct. 2022, Principal Investigator
  3. "AI & Co-design in public libraries: Empowering underserved youth to cultivate symbiotic relationships between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and their communities,” Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Leadership Grants, Federal,($249,999 in total, my portion is about $97,741), Aug. 2021 - Jul. 2023, Co-Principal Investigator (PI: Hee Rin Lee)

Teaching

Teaching Courses

  • Database Design (ILS-Z 511, ILS IU), Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2019, Spring 2019
  • Music Data Mining (ILS-Z 604, ILS IU), Fall 2022, Spring 2020
  • Digital Libraries (LIS 560 LE, School of Information Sciences, UIUC), Fall 2016

    • Teaching Assistant

  • Machine Learning Team Projects (IS 590 ML, UIUC), Fall 2018
  • Digital Libraries (LIS560LE), UIUC, Spring 2017, Fall 2015, Spring 2015, Fall 2014, Spring 2014, Fall 2013, and Spring 2013

    • Publication

    Journal Articles

    1. Kahyun Choi, "Word Embedding-Based Complexity Analyses of Song Lyrics,” Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology (JASIST), Submitted
    2. Xiao Hu, Kahyun Choi, J. Stephen Downie, "A Framework for Evaluating Multimodal Music Mood Classification", Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology (JASIST), 2017.
    3. Xiao Hu, Jin Ha Lee, David Bainbridge, Kahyun Choi, Peter Organisciak, and J. Stephen Downie, "The MIREX Grand Challenge: a framework of holistic user experience evaluation in music information retrieval", Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology (JASIST), 2015.

    Workshop Abstracts and Panels

    1. Soo Hyeon Kim, Gi Woong Choi, Kahyun Choi, Andrea Copeland, Christine D’Arpa, Sarah Evans, Simpson Lance, Hee Rin Lee, Ayoung Yoon, "Public Library-University Partnerships in Library and Information Science: Approaches, Challenges, Implications for Translating Research into Practice", the Association for Information Science and Technology [Panel], 2023
    2. Ji Youn Shin, Kahyun Choi, Hee Rin Lee, "Community-engaged design for STEM education: Students as co-designers of AI programs in public libraries,” in Child-Centred AI Design: Definition, Operation, and Considerations ACM CHI 2023 Workshop, 2023
    3. Kahyun Choi, "Computational Poetry Collection Analysis via Context-Dependent Language Models,” in ASIS&T SIG AI Workshop, 2022.
    4. Hee Rin Lee, Kahyun Choi, Selin Akgun, Ji Youn Shin, Pooja Malvi, Meredith Dedema, "AI & Co-design in public libraries: Empowering underserved youth to cultivate symbiotic relationships between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and their communities,” in ASIS&T SIG AI Workshop, 2022. (Best Presentation Award)

    Academic Publications

    1. Kahyun Choi, "Computational Thematic Analysis of Poetry via Bimodal Large Language Models", the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T), 2023 (Acceptance rate: 28%)
    2. Kahyun Choi, "Bimodal Music Subject Classification via Context-Dependent Language Model,” in Proceedings of the 16th iConference, 2021.
    3. Kahyun Choi and J. Stephen Downie, "A Trend Analysis on Concreteness of Popular Song Lyrics,” in Proceedings of the 6th International Digital Libraries for Musicology workshop (DLfM), 2019.
    4. Kahyun Choi and J. Stephen Downie, "Exploratory investigation of word embedding in song lyric topic classification: promising preliminary results,” In Proceedings of the IEEE/ACM Joint Conference in Digital Libraries (JCDL), 2018.
    5. Anders Friberg, Ragnar Schön, Anders Elowsson, Kahyun Choi, and J. Stephen Downie, "Cross-cultural aspects of perceptual features in K-Pop: A pilot study comparing Chinese and Swedish listeners,” in Proceedings of the 43rd International Computer Music Conference, (ICMC), 2017
    6. Xiao Hu, Kahyun Choi, Yun Hao, Sally Jo Cunningham, Jin Ha Lee, Audrey Laplante, David Bainbridge and J. Stephen Downie, "Exploring the Music Library Association Mailing List: A Text Mining Approach", in Proceedings of the 18th International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference, (ISMIR), 2017
    7. Kahyun Choi, Jin Ha Lee, Xiao Hu, and J. Stephen Downie, "Music Subject Classification Based on Lyrics and User Interpretations", Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T), 2016.
    8. Xiao Hu, Kahyun Choi, Jin Ha Lee, Audrey Laplante, Yun Hao, Sally Jo Cunningham and J. Stephen Downie, "WiMIR: An Informetric Study on Women Authors in ISMIR", in Proceedings of the 17th International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference, (ISMIR), 2016.
    9. Yun Hao, Kahyun Choi, and J. Stephen Downie, " Exploring J-DISC: Some Preliminary Analyses", in Proceedings of the 3rd International Digital Libraries for Musicology workshop (DLfM), 2016.
    10. Jin Ha Lee, Xiao Hu, Kahyun Choi, and J. Stephen Downie, "MIREX Grand Challenge 2014 on User Experience: Qualitative analysis of user feedback", in Proceedings of the 16th International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference, (ISMIR), 2015.
    11. Kahyun Choi, Jin Ha Lee, Craig Willis, J. Stephen Downie, "Topic Modeling Users' Interpretations of Songs to Inform Subject Access in Music Digital Libraries", In Proceedings of the IEEE/ACM Joint Conference in Digital Libraries (JCDL), 2015.
    12. J. Stephen Downie, Xiao Hu, Jin Ha Lee, Kahyun Choi, Yun Hao, and Sally Jo. Cunningham, "Ten Years of MIREX (Music Information Retrieval Evaluation eXchange): Reflections, Challenges and Opportunities", in Proceedings of the International Society of Music Information Retrieval Conference (ISMIR), Taipei, Taiwan, Oct. 2014.
    13. Xiao Hu, Jin Ha Lee, Kahyun Choi, and J. Stephen Downie, "A Cross-Cultural Study of Mood in K-POP Songs", in Proceedings of the International Society of Music Information Retrieval Conference (ISMIR), Taipei, Taiwan, Oct. 2014.
    14. Kahyun Choi, Jin Ha Lee, and J. Stephen Downie, "What is this song about anyway?: Automatic classification of subject using user interpretations and lyrics," In Proceedings of the IEEE/ACM Joint Conference on Digital Libraries (JCDL), pp. 453-454, Sep. 2014.
    15. Jin Ha Lee, Kahyun Choi, Xiao Hu, and J. Stephen Downie, "K-Pop Genres: A Cross Cultural Exploration", in Proceedings of the International Society of Music Information Retrieval Conference (ISMIR), Curitiba, Brazil, Oct. 2013.

    Advising

    Independent Study

  • Meredith Dedema (ILS PhD at IU), Spring 2023
  • Haining Wang (ILS PhD at IU), Spring 2023
  • Sasidev Mahendran(Data Science MS at IU), Spring 2023
  • Sumiitha Vellinalur Thattai(Data Science MS at IU), Spring 2023

    • Emerging Scholars Research Experience for Undergraduate Women Mentor

  • Alexa Walquist (Undergraduate at Kelley School at IU), Fall 2022-Spring 2023

    • Research Assistantship Advising

  • Meredith Dedema (ILS PhD at IU), Summer 2022-Spring 2023
  • Shruti Padole (CS MS at IU), Summer 2022-Spring 2023
  • Selin Akgun (Education PhD at MSU), Spring 2022-Summer 2022

    • Women in Music Information Retrieval (WiMIR) Mentor

  • Eunjin Choi (PhD at Graduate School of Culture Technology at KAIST), Spring 2022

    • PhD Qualifying Exam Committee Member

  • Pei-Ying Chen (ILS at IU), 2021

    • PhD Dissertation Committee Member

  • Zheng Gao (ILS at IU), 2020

    • Professional Activities

    Advisory Board Membership

  • Audiovisual Metadata Platform, Indiana University (IU) Libraries, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, 2022-2023

    • Professional Memberships

  • American Library Association
  • Young Adult Library Services Association
  • American Society for Information Science & Technology

    • Research Community Work

  • The International Digital Libraries for Musicology workshop (DLfM), Program Committee, 2023
  • The International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference (ISMIR), Meta-Reviewer, 2022
  • The International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference (ISMIR), Volunteer Chair, 2021
  • The International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference (ISMIR), Meta-Reviewer, 2021
  • The International Digital Libraries for Musicology workshop (DLfM), Session Chair, 2021
  • The International Digital Libraries for Musicology workshop (DLfM), Program Committee, 2021
  • The International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference (ISMIR), Meta-Reviewer, 2020
  • Midwest Music and Audio Day, Bloomington, IN, Organizing Committee (June 27, 2019)
  • The Music Information Retrieval Evaluation eXchange (MIREX), Evaluation Committee leader, (Aug. 2014 - Aug. 2016)
  • The Music Information Retrieval Evaluation eXchange (MIREX), Evaluation Committee member, (Aug. 2011 - Aug. 2013)

    • As a Reviewer of Journals and Conferences

  • Transactions of the International Society for Music Information Retrieval (TISMIR)
  • The International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference (ISMIR)
  • The American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T)
  • ACM Transactions on Intelligent Systems and Technology (TIST)
  • International Journal on Digital Libraries (IJDL)

    • Awards and Honors

    Awards

  • Indiana Univeristy Trustees Teaching Award, 2023
  • Best Presentation Award (as a team), ASIS&T SIG AI Workshop, 2022
  • Women in Music Information Retrieval (WiMIR) Award, ISMIR, 2016

    • Honors

  • Graduated with honors, Ajou University, 2005

    • Scholarships

  • Merit based scholarships, Ajou University, Spring 2004, fall 2003, spring 2002, fall 2001

    • Outreach and Community Engagement Activities

    Organizing and Hosting Workshops for Teens in Public Libraries

  • Maryland AI Workshop for Teens, Carroll County Public Library, Maryland, March 4 and April 4, 2023
  • San Diego AI Workshop for Teens, the City Heights/Weingart Branch at San Diego Public Library, June 12 - June 15, 2023

    • Presentations

    Doctoral Colloquia

    1. "Music Thumbnailing", 2016 Annual Meeting of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) Doctoral Colloquium, Copenhagen, Denmark, Oct. 18, 2016.
    2. "From Lyrics to Their Interpretations: Automated Reading between the Lines", the IEEE/ACM Joint Conference in Digital Libraries (JCDL) Doctoral Consortium, 2015

    Talks

    1. "AI for Libaries and Libraries for AI", Luddy Fellows Research Spotlight, April 5, 2023
    2. "AI for Libaries", 2022-2023 Luddy Faculty Fellows Talk, March 7, 2023
    3. “Unbiased AI for Poetry Analysis: Toward Equitable and Diverse Digital Libraries”, Pervasive Technology Institute Speaker Series, Bloomington, December 2, 2022
    4. "Computational Lyricology", The Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology Seminar, Georgia Institute of Technology, September 12, 2022.
    5. "Music Trend Analysis", IU JSOM Music and Mind Lab, Bloomington, May 2, 2022.
    6. "Information Retrieval", Digital Libraries (LIS560LE), Spring 2015.
    7. "Automatic Music Subject Classification and a Cross-Cultural Exploration of K-Pop Genre", Shazam, Menlo Park, CA, Aug. 14, 2014.
    8. "A Cross-Cultural Study on the Mood and Genre of Korean Pop Songs", Pandora Radio, Oakland, CA, Jun. 19, 2014.
    9. "A Cross-cultural Exploration of K-Pop Moods and Genres", KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, May 3, 2014 - May 9, 2014.

    Posters

    1. "Topic Modeling Users’ Interpretations of Songs to Inform Subject Access in Music Digital Libraries", GSLIS Research Showcase 2015, Apr. 3, 2015.
    2. "The Impact of Music Genre on Music Similarity: A Qualitative Exploration", GSLIS Research Showcase 2015, Apr. 3, 2015.
    3. "Exploring Music Subject Classification Based on User Interpretations of Music", Midwest Music Information Retrieval Gathering (MMIRG), Evanston, IL, Jun. 14, 2014.
    4. "K-Pop Genres: A Cross Cultural Exploration", GSLIS Research Showcase 2014, Mar. 14, 2014.
    5. "Music Mood Tag Prediction with Dimension Reduced Tag Space", GSLIS Research Showcase 2013, Mar. 29, 2013.

    Skills

    Skills

  • Machine learning tools: PyTorch, scikit-learn, Keras, Mallet, Weka
  • Programming languages: Python, MATLAB, Unix shell scripting, JavaScript, R, Java, C, PHP, C with PIC
  • Database: MySQL, MongoDB, Neo4j
  • Others: Linux, NodeXL, Dedoose, Amazon MTurk