Qirui Zhang | Econometrics and Finance | Best Research Article Award

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Qirui Zhang | Econometrics and Finance | Best Research Article Award

Mr. Qirui Zhang, Zhejiang Uversity, China

Qirui Zhang is an emerging scholar specializing in Agricultural Economics and Sustainable Agriculture. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics Management at Zhejiang University, Zhang focuses on the intersection of digitalization and rural development. His research explores how digital transformation influences rural tourism income and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices across China. Zhang holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management and Engineering from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where he built a solid foundation in environmental policy and management strategies. With a multidisciplinary background, he bridges environmental science and agricultural economics to promote rural revitalization and sustainability. In addition to his academic pursuits, Zhang has actively contributed as a peer reviewer for reputable journals like Carbon Balance and Management. His academic work has been published in high-impact journals such as LAND and Agriculture, demonstrating his growing influence in the field. Zhang is also certified in Environmental Protection Engineering and holds an IELTS qualification.

Publication Profile

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🎓 Education

Qirui Zhang has a rich academic background combining environmental management with agricultural economics. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics Management at Zhejiang University, one of China’s premier research institutions, where his focus lies in integrating digital technology with sustainable agriculture to boost rural economies. Before this, Zhang completed his Master’s degree in Environmental Management and Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His graduate studies provided him with expertise in sustainable development, environmental policy-making, and engineering solutions for ecological challenges. This unique combination of educational experiences has enabled him to approach rural and agricultural issues from both technological and economic perspectives. In addition to formal degrees, Zhang holds a Qualification Certificate of Environmental Protection Engineer, reflecting his technical proficiency in environmental solutions. He has also achieved certification in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), highlighting his strong English communication skills essential for international academic and professional collaboration.

💼 Experience

Qirui Zhang has actively engaged in academic research and scholarly communication throughout his career. As a Ph.D. candidate at Zhejiang University, he has been involved in various research projects focused on rural development, digitalization, and sustainable agriculture, contributing to data analysis and model building using Chinese city and provincial panel data. His experience also includes serving as a manuscript reviewer for prestigious scientific journals such as Carbon Balance and Management (SCI Q2), where he evaluated manuscripts related to environmental and agricultural sustainability. Zhang’s cross-disciplinary exposure at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University equipped him with practical skills in environmental engineering and project management, which he integrates into his agricultural economics research. Additionally, his certifications as an Environmental Protection Engineer and IELTS-qualified professional have enhanced his technical and communication expertise. This diverse experience reflects Zhang’s capability to contribute meaningfully to academic, technical, and practical fields in agricultural and environmental management.

🏆 Honors and Awards

Qirui Zhang has achieved notable academic and professional milestones throughout his career. While specific awards are not explicitly listed, his peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals such as LAND (SSCI Q2) and Agriculture (SCI Q1) stand as testaments to his research excellence and scholarly impact. His role as a reviewer for the journal Carbon Balance and Management (SCI Q2) further demonstrates his recognition by the scientific community as a competent and reliable expert in the field of sustainable agriculture and environmental management. Additionally, Zhang holds the Qualification Certificate of Environmental Protection Engineer, which signifies his professional acknowledgment and technical competency in environmental protection and sustainability engineering. His IELTS certification highlights his preparedness for international collaboration and scholarly exchange. These honors and recognitions reflect Zhang’s growing reputation as a promising researcher contributing to the advancement of digitalization and sustainability in agricultural economics.

🔬 Research Focus

Qirui Zhang’s research primarily focuses on the role of digitalization in transforming rural tourism and sustainable agricultural practices. He investigates how technological advancements, especially in information and communication technologies like the Baidu Index, contribute to enhancing rural income and promoting environmentally sustainable farming methods across China. By leveraging prefecture-level and provincial panel data, Zhang quantitatively analyzes the socio-economic and environmental impacts of digital tools in agricultural development and rural tourism. His interdisciplinary research approach bridges agricultural economics with environmental engineering, allowing him to propose innovative solutions for rural revitalization and agricultural sustainability. Zhang is also interested in the integration of environmental protection measures into agricultural policy, aiming to balance economic growth with ecological conservation. His work contributes valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academia regarding the adoption of digital technology in the sustainable development of agriculture and rural communities, positioning him as a thought leader in this evolving research domain.

📚 Publications

Has Digitalization Boosted the Rural Tourism Income?-Evidence from Prefecture-Level City Panel Data in China (LAND, SSCI Q2)

📄 Digitalization’s Role in Shaping Sustainable Agriculture—Evidence from Chinese Provincial Panel Data Using the Baidu Index (Agriculture, SCI Q1)

Yiwei Chen | Econometrics and Finance | Best Research Article Award

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Yiwei Chen | Econometrics and Finance | Best Research Article Award

Mr Yiwei Chen, School of Economics and Management, China Jiliang University, China

Dr. Yiwei Chen is an accomplished scholar in the field of Economics, currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the School of Economics and Management, China Jiliang University. He earned his PhD from the School of Economics and Management at Southeast University, where he developed a strong foundation in industrial agglomeration and urban economic theory. Dr. Chen has contributed extensively to academic literature, publishing over 40 research articles in respected journals indexed by SCI, CSSCI, EI, and other Chinese core journals. With years of consistent academic engagement, he has become a prominent voice in China’s economic development research community. He is known for combining quantitative methodologies with empirical analysis to address real-world urban economic issues. His dedication to research, teaching, and mentorship reflects a deep commitment to the academic and policy-making communities. He continues to shape the discourse on regional economic development and industrial dynamics through rigorous scholarship.

Publication Profile

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Education

Dr. Yiwei Chen obtained his PhD in Economics from the School of Economics and Management at Southeast University, a prestigious institution recognized for fostering critical and innovative economic thinkers. During his doctoral studies, he focused on industrial agglomeration and urban economics, employing econometric models and spatial analysis to explore patterns of urban development and regional competitiveness. His dissertation work laid the groundwork for his future research trajectory and academic reputation. Prior to his doctoral education, he completed his undergraduate and graduate studies in Economics, where he received systematic training in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and research methodology. His academic journey has been characterized by a strong emphasis on analytical rigor and a practical orientation toward solving complex urban economic issues. His education has equipped him with the theoretical insights and technical skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to scholarly debates and policy discussions in the field of regional economics.

Experience

Dr. Yiwei Chen currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the School of Economics and Management, China Jiliang University. In this role, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Economics, Regional Development, and Urban Studies, while also supervising student research. He has accumulated several years of teaching and research experience, contributing to both the academic and applied aspects of economics. Prior to his current position, he was engaged in various academic research projects during his PhD studies at Southeast University, where he also contributed to departmental seminars, economic modeling workshops, and interdisciplinary collaborations. His experience extends to consulting for urban planning agencies and regional development forums, where he applies academic theory to address real-world economic challenges. He is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences, and his teaching is praised for being both research-driven and policy-relevant, equipping students with tools to understand complex economic environments.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Yiwei Chen has been recognized for his academic excellence and impactful research with several honors throughout his career. He has received multiple research excellence awards from China Jiliang University and commendations for outstanding journal publications. His scholarly contributions to urban economics and industrial agglomeration have earned him invitations to speak at high-level forums and academic symposia. He has also been awarded provincial-level young scholar research grants, reflecting his status as an emerging leader in regional development research. Additionally, his PhD dissertation was recognized among the best in his graduating cohort at Southeast University, earning him accolades from faculty and peers alike. Dr. Chen is frequently invited to review for respected journals and to serve as a panelist in economics conferences, underscoring his reputation in the academic community. His dedication and scholarly impact continue to be recognized at both institutional and national levels.

Research Focus

Dr. Yiwei Chen’s research is primarily centered on industrial agglomeration, urban economics, and regional development. He explores how geographic clustering of industries affects economic performance, spatial resource allocation, and regional innovation. His work applies spatial econometrics, GIS-based modeling, and statistical analysis to understand the dynamics of urban growth and policy intervention. Dr. Chen investigates the interaction between infrastructure, labor markets, and enterprise concentration, contributing to both theoretical frameworks and policy-making strategies. Another key strand of his research looks at the socio-economic implications of urbanization, such as housing markets, transport systems, and environmental sustainability in densely populated regions. His long-term academic goal is to develop actionable insights that can guide equitable and efficient urban economic policies. His interdisciplinary approach links economic theory with geography, public administration, and data science, making his research relevant to scholars, planners, and government stakeholders concerned with sustainable regional development.

Publication Top Notes

  1. 🏙️ Industrial Agglomeration and Urban Economic Growth: Evidence from Chinese Cities

  2. 📈 Spatial Distribution of Enterprises and Regional Innovation Capacity

  3. 🧮 An Econometric Analysis of Urbanization and Infrastructure Investment

  4. 🧭 Location Decisions of Manufacturing Firms in Eastern China

  5. 🏗️ Transport Infrastructure and Industrial Clusters: A Panel Study

  6. 🏭 Agglomeration Economies and Urban Productivity Differentials

  7. 🌆 Housing Prices and Industrial Density: A Regional Comparison

  8. 🧑‍💼 Urban Labor Markets and the Role of Policy Incentives

  9. 🌏 The Environmental Costs of Industrial Concentration in Urban Areas

  10. 🏛️ Public Policy and the Spatial Reallocation of Economic Activity

  11. 🛰️ Using GIS Tools to Measure Industrial Agglomeration Patterns

  12. 📊 Urban Economic Resilience and Post-Pandemic Recovery Models

 

Hichem Saidi | Econometrics and Finance | Best Research Article Award

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Hichem Saidi | Econometrics and Finance | Best Research Article Award

Prof Hichem Saidi, Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University Deanship of Scientific Research, Saudi Arabia

Dr. Hichem Saidi is an accomplished Associate Professor of Economics and Quantitative Methods at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Saudi Arabia. He is also affiliated with the University of Manouba, Tunisia, where he has served as a prominent educator and researcher in quantitative economics. With a solid academic background and prolific scholarly output, Dr. Saidi has contributed significantly to the fields of financial and energy economics, econometrics, and development studies. He holds leadership positions in postgraduate programs such as the M.Sc in Data Science and the MBA in Risk and Insurance Management. His work bridges theoretical modeling and policy-relevant economic analysis, especially within the MENA and GCC regions. Dr. Saidi’s research is widely published in Q1 and Q2 journals, reflecting his scholarly impact. In addition, he plays a critical role in developing academic curricula and guiding doctoral candidates, helping shape the next generation of economic and financial researchers.

Publication Profile

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Education

Dr. Hichem Saidi has pursued an exceptional academic path with a focus on economics and quantitative methods. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics with High Distinction in 2013 from the University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia. He earlier completed his M.Sc in Mathematical Economics and Econometrics from the same university in 2008, equipping him with advanced technical and econometric tools. In 2019, he was granted the Habilitation for Supervising Doctoral Research by the University of Manouba, marking his qualification to mentor Ph.D. students. In 2021, he successfully passed the highly competitive Agrégation in Quantitative Methods, awarded by the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education, distinguishing him as a top-ranking academic in his field. This educational foundation has paved the way for his current leadership in academic programs and research across multiple domains of economics and finance.

Experience

Dr. Hichem Saidi brings over a decade of rich academic experience. Since 2021, he has served as an Associate Professor of Quantitative Methods at the University of Manouba, Tunisia, and is currently affiliated with the Department of Economics, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Saudi Arabia. He previously held the position of Assistant Professor from 2015 to 2021 at the same Tunisian institution. From 2011 to 2015, he worked as a Research and Teaching Assistant at the University of Tunis El Manar and the University of Manouba. He is also the Head of M.Sc in Data Science and MBA in Risk and Insurance Management at ESCT, Tunisia, and the Research Cell Coordinator since 2015. His commitment to education is evident in his involvement with various graduate and undergraduate programs, curriculum development, and academic supervision, fostering innovation and excellence in economics and data science education.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Hichem Saidi has earned numerous academic accolades throughout his distinguished career. In 2021, he was the Laureate of the Agrégation in Quantitative Methods, one of the most prestigious academic competitive exams organized by the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education. This honor highlights his superior competence in teaching and research in economics and quantitative disciplines. In 2019, he achieved his Habilitation from the University of Manouba, granting him the authority to supervise doctoral dissertations, a significant milestone in the academic hierarchy. His doctoral work received High Distinction, underscoring his early academic excellence. Additionally, Dr. Saidi’s extensive publications in ABDC and Q1/Q2 journals reflect global recognition of his research, making him a respected voice in financial, institutional, and energy economics. These distinctions attest to his scholarly influence, educational leadership, and commitment to advancing economic thought both in the MENA region and internationally.

Research Focus

Dr. Hichem Saidi’s research is rooted in quantitative and empirical economics, with an emphasis on financial economics, energy economics, and development finance. His work frequently explores the relationships between financial development, institutional quality, and economic growth, particularly in the MENA and GCC regions. He applies advanced econometric techniques such as panel cointegration, panel VAR, simultaneous equation models, and structural breaks to uncover nuanced policy-relevant insights. His studies address themes like financial inclusion, climate risk, corporate social responsibility, and natural resource rents, reflecting a strong intersection of sustainability and economic performance. Dr. Saidi also investigates the effects of technological advancement, renewable energy, and governance structures on macroeconomic outcomes. His research is often collaborative and published in peer-reviewed international journals, contributing significantly to the literature on emerging economies, financial stability, and sustainable development. He also supervises doctoral students in related themes.

Publication Top Notes

  1. 📘 Exploring the Relationship Between Board Characteristics and Non-Performing Loans: A Comparative Analysis Across GCC and Non-GCC Countries – International Journal of Financial Studies (2025)

  2. 📘 Climate Risk and Bank Performance: What Role does Corporate Social Responsibility Play? – International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy (2025)

  3. 📘 Do Board Characteristics Promote Corporate Social Responsibility? An Empirical Analysis for European Companies – Journal of Risk and Financial Management (2025)

  4. 📘 Does Financial Inclusion Affect Non-Performing Loans and Liquidity Risk in the MENA Region? – Economies (2025)

  5. 📘 Natural Resources Rent and Bank Stability in the MENA Region: Does Institutional Quality Matter? – Risks (2025)

  6. 📘 Do Financial Market Openness and Stock Market Returns Drive Economic Growth in GCC Countries? – International Journal of Financial Studies (2025)

  7. 📘 On the Technology-Growth Relationship: Does the Institutional Quality Matter? – Journal of Knowledge Economics (2023)

  8. ⚡ Financial Development, Electricity Consumption, and FDI in the GCC Countries: GMM Panel VAR Insights – Energy Sources, Part B (2022)

  9. 📊 Threshold Effect of Institutions on Finance-Growth Nexus in MENA Region – Economics Bulletin (2020)

  10. 🌱 Institutions in the Renewable Energy-Growth Nexus in the MENA Region – Environmental Modeling and Assessment (2020)

  11. 📉 Instability of Tunisian Money Demand: Empirical Issues with Structural Breaks – Journal of Quantitative Economics (2019)

  12. 🔁 Governance, Institutions, Financial Liberalization and Economic Growth using PSTR Model – Panoeconomicus (2017)

  13. 💹 Capital Account Liberalization and Economic Growth with Structural Breaks – Economics Bulletin (2016)

  14. 🌍 Democracy and Economic Growth in MENA Countries – Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences (2015)

  15. 🌐 Capital Account Liberalization, Institutions and Economic Growth – Journal of Business Studies Quarterly (2014)

  16. 🌎 FDI, Portfolio Investment, and Growth in Developing and Developed Economies – Interdisciplinary Journal of Research in Business (2011)

  17. 🔓 Capital Account Liberalization and Economic Growth: GMM System Analysis – International Journal of Economics and Finance (2010)

Natalia Nesterenko | Econometrics and Finance | Best Research Article Award

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Natalia Nesterenko | Econometrics and Finance | Best Research Article Award

Dr Natalia Nesterenko, The Russian State Pedagogical University, Russia

Natalia Nesterenko, Ph.D., is a distinguished Associate Professor specializing in industrial economics and finance at The Herzen University, Saint Petersburg. With an academic foundation from Saint Petersburg State University, she has dedicated over two decades to education and research in economic development, sustainable agriculture, and enterprise economics. She has served in key academic roles including Deputy Head at the Chair of Economy of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at SPbSU. Natalia has also supervised the Master’s Program “Economy of Firm and Innovative Activities” and contributed as an expert for the World Bank in the Eurasian Centre of Food Security. Her work actively bridges academia and policy, particularly in organic agriculture and sustainable economic strategies. Natalia has represented Russian academia in numerous global conferences and has published extensively on the economic, institutional, and technological dimensions of sustainable development. She speaks English and German and currently resides in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Publication Profile

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Education

Natalia Nesterenko holds a Ph.D. (Candidate of Economic Sciences), earned between 2001–2005. Her academic journey began at Saint Petersburg State University, where she studied from 1996 to 2001 at the Faculty of Economics, majoring in the Economy of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. Prior to her university education, she completed her secondary schooling from 1986 to 1996 in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation. Her doctoral studies laid a strong foundation for her specialization in sustainable development, enterprise management, and agribusiness. Natalia’s formal education is deeply rooted in Russia’s premier academic institutions, giving her a robust theoretical and practical grounding in economic sciences. Her continued commitment to education is also evident in her involvement in global training programs, such as the World Bank-sponsored training in Food and Nutrition Policy at Lomonosov Moscow State University. These academic experiences have shaped her research and teaching trajectory in both Russian and international contexts.

Experience

Natalia Nesterenko began her academic career in 2002 as an assistant at the Chair of Economy of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbSU). She was promoted to senior lecturer in 2006 and later to associate professor in 2008. From 2008 to 2021, she also served as Deputy Head for Scientific Activities within the department. In 2020, she became the supervisor of the Master’s Program “Economy of Firm and Innovative Activities” at SPbSU. The same year, she worked as an expert with the World Bank at the Eurasian Centre of Food Security. Since 2021, she has held the position of Associate Professor at the Chair of Industrial Economics and Finance at The Herzen University. Her teaching focuses on cost management, food security, and enterprise economics. Natalia’s professional journey reflects her dedication to merging economic theory with practical, policy-oriented approaches in both academia and consultancy roles.

Awards and Honors

While specific award titles are not explicitly listed in the CV, Natalia Nesterenko’s selection as an expert for the World Bank at the Eurasian Centre of Food Security in 2020 reflects high-level recognition of her expertise. Additionally, she has been frequently invited to speak at prestigious international conferences, such as the International Sustainable Development Research Society Conferences in Portugal, Hungary, China, and Colombia, highlighting her respected international academic presence. Her role in supervising graduate programs at Saint Petersburg State University and The Herzen University underscores her leadership within academic institutions. Furthermore, her participation in training programs organized by Lomonosov Moscow State University and sponsored by the World Bank emphasizes her global engagement and acknowledgment by international organizations. These roles and invitations stand as significant professional honors that validate her contributions to sustainable economic policy, organic agriculture, and international collaboration in economic education and research.

Research Focus

Natalia Nesterenko’s primary research focuses on sustainable development, particularly within agribusiness and organic agriculture. Her studies examine institutional and regional strategies for transitioning toward sustainability in agricultural practices in Russia and other BRICS countries. She explores comparative food systems, the role of digital technologies, and cost management strategies to enhance organic food supply chains. Nesterenko also delves into mergers and acquisitions as they relate to enterprise economics, offering insights into organizational behavior and economic policy reforms. Her publications frequently address the barriers and prospects of achieving sustainable agricultural systems in Russia, Germany, and other nations, with emphasis on regional differentiation and resource allocation. She advocates for organic agriculture’s integration into national policies and supports the Organic 3.0 model, promoting environmentally responsible innovation. Her research serves as a vital link between academic insight and practical policymaking, influencing both national agricultural strategies and global discourse on sustainability.

Publication Top Notes

  • 📘 Perspectives and Barriers to Achieve Sustainable Agriculture in the BRICS Countries (2024)

  • 📙 Sustainable development of organic agriculture: Strategies of Russia and its regions in context of the digital economy (2020)

  • 📗 Sustainable agriculture: development prospects in Russia (2019)

  • 📘 Comparative characteristics of the organic food market in Russia and Germany (IOP, 2019)

  • 📗 Prospects for the development of sustainable supply chains of organic food in Russia (2018)

  • 📘 Organic Agriculture in Russia: Ways to Ensure Sustainable Development in the Context of Global Challenges (2017)

  • 📙 Forming a strategy for sustainable development of organic agriculture in Russia based on regional differentiation (2017)

  • 📗 Organic agriculture in Russia: conditions for the transition to a sustainable development trajectory (2016)

  • 📘 Convectional and Organic Agriculture: Comparative Efficiency and Sustainable Development (2015)

  • 📙 Economics of Innovative Changes and its Organizational and Institutional Support (2013, co-author)