Deepa | Energy and Utilities Analytics  | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Deepa | Energy and Utilities Analytics  | Best Researcher Award

USMS University School of Management Studies | India

Ms. Deepa is a dedicated researcher and emerging academician in financial economics, currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the University School of Management Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, where her doctoral work investigates the factors influencing access to clean energy across developing nations. With an h-index of 3, 4 published documents, and 16 citations across 15 referencing documents, she has established a growing scholarly footprint, contributing to high-impact journals such as Renewable Energy, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, and Environment, Development and Sustainability. Her research spans sustainable finance, corporate finance, green growth, energy poverty, ESG, and development economics, supported by certifications including UGC NET/JRF (twice). She has presented her work at leading institutions including IIT Bombay, IIT Bhubaneswar—where she received a Best Paper Award—IIM Kashipur, and the Central University of Himachal Pradesh. As an adjunct faculty member, she has taught courses in Financial Accounting and Entrepreneurial Mindset, integrating analytical rigor with practical insights. With expertise in EViews, Stata, R, and bibliometric tools, she continues to advance impactful, policy-relevant research. She aspires to contribute meaningfully to academia by promoting inclusive, sustainable development through evidence-based teaching and scholarship.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

Deepa, Ahuja, S., Soti, N., Kumar, A., Phore, J., & Gupta, S. (2026). How can green finance and economic policies unlock new pathways to clean energy access in Sub-Saharan African nations? Renewable Energy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2025.124703

Soti, N., Kumar, A., Gupta, S., Ahuja, S., & Deepa. (2025). Towards a sustainable future: The interplay of trade globalization and regulatory quality on environmental outcomes in India. Sustainable Futures. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.100578

Kumar, A., Soti, N., Gupta, S., & Deepa. (2024). Addressing energy poverty in BRICS economies: Insights from panel data analysis and policy implications for sustainable development goals. Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-05652-9

Phore, J., Deepa, Soti, N., Kumar, A., & Saini, A. K. (2024). Exploring the dynamics of ICT and globalization on human development in India: Asymmetric analysis and policy implications. International Journal of Information Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41870-024-02056-w

Shawn (Xiaoguang) Chen | Public Policy | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Shawn (Xiaoguang) Chen | Public Policy | Research Excellence Award

University of Western Australia | Australia

Dr. Shawn (Xiaoguang) Chen is an applied economist whose research spans public finance, taxation, misallocation, and development economics. With an h-index of 4, 9 scholarly documents, and 256 citations across 251 citing documents, he has contributed influential work to both international and top-tier Chinese journals. He holds dual PhDs from the London School of Economics and Peking University, supported by competitive scholarships including the LSE Postgraduate Research Scholarship. Dr. Chen is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Western Australia and has held visiting positions at Harvard Kennedy School, the University of Hong Kong, and the University of Toronto. His research particularly focuses on tax enforcement, VAT systems, government incentives, misallocation, and firm productivity in developing economies, especially China and Sri Lanka. He has secured major research grants from the Australian Academy of Social Sciences, China’s National Science Foundation, and multiple institutional programs. Recognized for scholarly excellence, he has received awards such as the Best Paper Award at the Public Finance Forum of China, the Gregory Chow Award, and early-career distinctions from the Western Australia Chinese Scientists Association. Dr. Chen continues to advance empirical public finance with policy-relevant insights rooted in rigorous causal identification.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Geng, H., Chen, S.X., & Wu, Y. (2025). “The displacement effects of US–China political tensions on China’s international and domestic research collaboration: Evidence from the ‘China Initiative’.” Scientometrics, 40(2), 289–337. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-025-05465-1

Chen, S.X. (2024). “Vulnerability to tax enforcement and spillover effect of corruption: Cross-industry evidence from China.” Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization. https://doi.org/10.1093/jleo/ewac019

Dewage Thilini Sumudu Kumari, R., Tang, S.H.K., & Chen, S.X. (2023). “Un-incorporation and conditional misallocation: Firm-level evidence from Sri Lanka.” B.E. Journal of Macroeconomics. https://doi.org/10.1515/bejm-2022-0107

Dewage Thilini Sumudu Kumari, R., Tang, S.H.K., Chen, S.X., & Li, B. (2023). “Can land misallocation be a greater barrier to development than capital? Evidence from manufacturing firms in Sri Lanka.” Economic Modelling. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2023.106368

Mudiyanselage, H.K., & Chen, S.X. (2021). “What impairs the ‘money machine’ of VAT in developing countries?” International Tax and Public Finance. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10797-021-09705-x

Xinyu Liu | Regression Analysis | Young Innovator Award

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Dr. Xinyu Liu | Regression Analysis | Young Innovator Award

Peking University | China

Dr. Xinyu Liu is a postdoctoral researcher specializing in Microeconomics, Development Economics, and Finance, with a particular focus on e-commerce, consumption behavior, entrepreneurship, housing demolition, and cross-shareholding in China. Dr. Liu earned a Ph.D. in Management (Agricultural Economics and Management) from Peking University, with a dissertation examining the impact of e-commerce on rural residents’ sales and consumption, and a B.E. in Economics from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics. Currently, Dr. Liu is a postdoctoral fellow at the China International Capital Corporation (CICC) Global Institute and Fudan University, exploring cross-shareholding and firm innovation under the guidance of senior economists. Dr. Liu also served as a short-term consultant at the World Bank, analyzing fertility preferences. With five publications, including in Economic Development and Cultural Change, Cities, and PNAS Nexus, Dr. Liu’s work has been cited 30 times across 30 documents, achieving an h-index of 2. Recognized for academic excellence, Dr. Liu has received multiple awards, including the Peking University Second-Class Scholarship and Best Paper Awards at international conferences. Current research explores digital transformation in agriculture, rural e-commerce expansion, and the economic consequences of housing demolition. Dr. Liu’s research contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic development in China and beyond.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Wang, X., Ren, Y., Yamauchi, F., Huang, J., & [Author]. (2025). “The power of the anti-corruption campaign: Evidence from cigarette and alcohol consumptions in China.” Economic Development and Cultural Change, 73(2), 941–977.

He, Z., Shi, X., Sun, X., & [Author]. (2024). “Housing demolition and entrepreneurship: Evidence from China.” Cities, 152, 105201.

Wang, X., Min, S., Jin, S., Huang, J., & [Author]. (2025). “The influence of improved wheat and maize varieties on infant mortality in China.” PNAS Nexus, 4(2), pgaf048.

Huang, J., Su, L., Huang, Q., & [Author]. (2022). “Facilitating inclusive ICT application and e-commerce development in rural China.” Agricultural Economics, 53(6), 938–952.

Jiapeng Xu | Qualitative Research | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Jiapeng Xu | Qualitative Research | Best Researcher Award

Northwest A&F University | China

Dr. Jiapeng Xu is an accomplished Associate Professor at the College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, specializing in urbanization, industrial economy, and urban-rural sustainable development. He earned his Doctor of Management degree from Huazhong Agricultural University and has established a distinguished career in research, teaching, and policy advisory. With over 11 publications in leading journals such as Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Environment, Development and Sustainability, and Environmental Management, his scholarly impact is reflected in an h-index of 5 and over 203 citations. Dr. Xu has led more than 10 national and provincial-level projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and completed 23 teaching and research initiatives. His policy reports have been recognized at the highest levels of government—four adopted by the General Office of the State Council and three receiving direct instructions from national leaders. A Consulting Expert for World Bank Projects and a member of several academic committees, he also contributes as Deputy Secretary-General of the Agricultural Economics Virtual Teaching Office under China’s Ministry of Education. His research continues to advance sustainable economic policies and educational innovation in China’s western development region, earning him prestigious honors such as the Shaanxi Provincial Higher Education Teaching Achievement Award.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Promoting Balanced Ecological-economic Development in Ecologically Vulnerable Regions: Spatio-temporal Variation and Driving Factors, 2025

The impact of urbanization on carbon emissions of rural households: a study based on micro-level measurement, 2024

Weliswa Matekenya | Quantitative Social Science Research | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Weliswa Matekenya | Quantitative Social Science Research | Best Researcher Award

Nelson Mandela University | South Africa

Dr. Weliswa Matekenya is a seasoned Senior Lecturer in Economics at Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa. With a profound dedication to research and academic excellence, she has established herself as a specialist in Maritime, Development, and Environmental Economics. Her scholarly contributions are evident in her extensive publication record, research consultancy experience, and active participation in national and international academic forums. Recognized as an emerging leader in economic research, Dr. Matekenya has garnered prestigious awards and research grants, reflecting her impact in shaping economic discourse in South Africa and beyond.

Professional Profile

ORCID

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Education

Dr. Matekenya earned her PhD in Economics from Nelson Mandela University, where her doctoral thesis explored the macroeconomic impact of ocean economy financing in South Africa. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Fort Hare, where she researched the effect of oil price volatility on South Africa’s economic growth. Her academic journey also includes a Bachelor of Honours in Economics and a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management and Economics, both from the University of Fort Hare. Her educational background has laid a strong foundation for her multifaceted research and teaching interests in economics.

Professional Experience

Dr. Matekenya currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at NMU’s Department of Economics, a position she has held since 2018. In this role, she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules including Environmental Economics, Development Economics, Econometrics, Public Economics, and Microeconomics. She has also served in several leadership capacities, such as Acting Head of Department and Chairperson of the Departmental Research Management Committee. She coordinates PhD and Master’s programs and actively contributes to curriculum development and ethics review panels.

Before joining NMU, she worked as a Research Consultant at Masutane Research Company, where she led data-driven projects, designed research methodologies, and conducted field studies. Her previous roles include lecturing positions at Educor and the University of Fort Hare, as well as serving as a Research Assistant in the Presidency of South Africa. Across these roles, she has gained valuable expertise in academic program coordination, research supervision, and policy analysis.

Research Interests

Dr. Matekenya’s research interests lie primarily in Maritime Economics, Development Economics, and Environmental Economics. She is particularly engaged in exploring the socio-economic dimensions of port infrastructure, ocean economy financing, and sustainable development strategies in coastal regions. Her recent projects include assessing the economic impact of seaports in South African regional economies and investigating the technical efficiency of ports in the SACU region using data envelopment analysis. She also focuses on topics such as climate change, foreign direct investment, financial inclusion, and SMME innovation.

Her involvement in international collaborative projects, such as those with UNU-WIDER under the SA-TIED initiative, has allowed her to explore transnational economic themes, including the role of Special Economic Zones in regional development. Her research integrates quantitative methodologies, including cointegration analysis and regression modeling, with policy-oriented perspectives, making her work both academically rigorous and practically relevant.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Matekenya has received several accolades that recognize her contributions to economic research and academic development. She was awarded the Emerging Researcher of the Year in 2022, affirming her position as a leading early-career researcher. She has also been a recipient of the Thuthuka Grant (2024–2026) for her project on the socio-economic impact of South African seaports. Additionally, she participated in the Black Academic Advancement Programme (BAAP) from 2020 to 2021, supporting the development of underrepresented scholars in academia.

Her active engagement in the academic community extends to international speaking engagements, such as the World Conference on Climate Change in Prague and panel discussions at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in India. Dr. Matekenya also serves as a peer reviewer for several journals, including the Journal of Chinese Economic and Foreign Trade Studies and the Journal of Shipping and Trade, and she holds an editorial position with the latter.

In sum, Dr. Weliswa Matekenya exemplifies scholarly leadership through her teaching, research, and engagement with economic development at local, national, and global levels. Her academic journey, underpinned by a solid educational foundation and a commitment to impactful research, positions her as an influential voice in shaping Africa’s sustainable economic future.

Publications

Impact of financing aquaculture on selected economic indicators in South Africa: cointegration approach

Authors: Weliswa Matekenya; Ronney Ncwadi
Journal: Journal of Applied Aquaculture
Year: 2024

The impact of maritime transport financing on total trade in South Africa

Authors: W. Matekenya; R. Ncwadi
Journal: Journal of Shipping and Trade
Year: 2022

Innovation as a driver of SMME performance in South Africa: a quantile regression approach

Authors: Weliswa Matekenya; Clement Moyo
Journal: African Journal of Economic and Management Studies
Year: 2022

Financial inclusion and human development: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors: Weliswa Matekenya; Clement Moyo; Leward Jeke
Journal: Development Southern Africa
Year: 2021

Firm and product survival analysis: Evidence from South African tax administrative and products data

Authors: Syden Mishi; Weliswa Matekenya; Leward Jeke; Ronney Ncwadi; Roseline Karambakuwa
Journal: WIDER Working Paper
Year: 2021