Celebrating Leeds University Business School Doctoral Research on the Global Stage
Leeds University Business School doctoral researchers showcased their work in China, winning Best Paper Awards at the ACE PhD Research Symposium, strengthening our global research presence.
China Visit Highlights
Leeds University Business School (LUBS) recently concluded a highly successful academic visit to China, with key engagements at the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) and Xiamen University. The visit formed part of LUBS’s ongoing commitment to providing meaningful international platforms for our doctoral researchers, enabling them to showcase their work, engage in scholarly exchange, and build lasting global research networks.
Strengthening Doctoral Connections Through International Engagement
Across both visits, LUBS PhD students were supported to present their research to international academic audiences and to connect with doctoral peers from partner institutions across China and Europe. These engagements not only enhanced the visibility of LUBS doctoral research internationally, but also offered invaluable opportunities for feedback, cross-cultural dialogue, and future collaboration.
Spotlight on the ACE PhD Research Symposium at Xiamen University
A particular highlight of the trip was the ACE PhD Research Symposium, hosted by Xiamen University as part of the 2025 China-Europe Business School Conference. The symposium brought together doctoral researchers from leading institutions within the ACE (Association of China and Europe Business Schools) network, creating a vibrant and intellectually rich environment focused on the theme of AI-driven advancement in business and management research.
LUBS doctoral students made a strong impression throughout the symposium, contributing to paper presentation sessions, poster exhibitions, and scholarly discussions spanning areas such as AI and marketing, governance, organisational behaviour, and management science.
Outstanding Achievements: Best Paper Awards
We are delighted to report that two LUBS PhD students received Best Paper Awards, reflecting the exceptional quality and global relevance of their research:
- Minghao Xu was awarded Best Paper at the Leeds–USTB Doctoral Research Workshop for his paper: “When AI Learns from the Wrong Teachers: Perspective Bias in Donation Framing and Prediction.”
- Maren Dömer received the Best Paper Award at the ACE PhD Research Symposium in Xiamen for her paper: “When and Why Collectivism Increases AI Receptivity: The Role of Mind Attribution.”
These awards represent outstanding recognition of our doctoral researchers’ talent, intellectual rigour, and ability to contribute meaningfully to international academic debates.
Reflecting on the importance of the symposium, Professor Jatinder Sidhu, Head of the Graduate School at LUBS, highlighted the strategic value of such international doctoral platforms:
Symposia of this kind are critical in shaping globally minded scholars. They provide doctoral researchers with the opportunity to test ideas in diverse intellectual contexts, receive high-quality feedback, and build international academic confidence. This is exactly the kind of environment in which rigorous and impactful research thrives.
Reflecting on her experience at the ACE PhD Research Symposium, Maren Dömer shared:
Attending the ACE PhD Symposium in Xiamen was one of the most enriching experiences of my PhD so far. The opportunity to receive in-depth, constructive feedback on my research, connect with doctoral peers from across Europe and China, and engage with faculty in such a supportive academic environment was invaluable. I am deeply honoured to have received the Best Paper Award, and the chance to experience a new culture made the experience even more memorable.
Why this matters for Leeds University Business School: Internationalisation and Doctoral Strategy
Building a global research presence from the doctoral level
The China visit directly supports the Business School’s internationalisation and research strategies by embedding doctoral researchers within high-quality global academic networks at an early stage of their careers. Platforms such as the ACE PhD Research Symposium enable our PhD students to:
- Develop international research visibility and academic confidence
- Benchmark their work against global peers and standards
- Build cross-institutional relationships that can lead to future joint research, publications, and grants
- Act as ambassadors for the business school’s research excellence on the global stage
Recognition through Best Paper Awards further strengthens Leeds University Business School’s reputation within key international partner networks and demonstrates the impact of sustained investment in doctoral researcher development. Collectively, these engagements enhance the Business School’s global profile, deepen strategic partnerships in China and Europe, and contribute to a more connected, internationally engaged doctoral community.
The China visit strongly reinforces the Business School’s strategic commitment to doctoral researcher development, internationalisation, and global research presence. By enabling our PhD students to engage with international peers and networks at an early stage of their academic careers, we continue to invest in the next generation of globally connected scholars.
Congratulations to all colleagues and doctoral researchers involved in making this visit such a success.
