The influence of the ecological contexts of teacher education on South Korean teacher educators' professional development

• The influence of the ecological context of teacher education is investigated.
• South Korean teacher educators' main concern is related to conducting research.
• The influence of the global context is strong and affects lower contextual levels.
• Reflective methods are recommended for teacher educators' professional development.

This study is designed to explore how the ecological context of teacher education influences affect South Korean teacher educators' professional development. Research findings reveal that South Korean teacher educators' concerns about their professional development are mainly related to conducting research influenced by global, political, social, and institutional influences together. The global influences permeate lower contextual levels in order and appear as concrete policies affecting teacher educators' work. As a result of an environment that favors academic achievement in various levels of the ecological contexts of teacher education, South Korean teacher educators desire more international academic communication.