Research Focus and Methodology
Can you explain the significance of your research on economic development in China and the EU?
My research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of economic development by incorporating indicators beyond GDP, such as health, longevity, and income inequality. By comparing China and the EU, we can uncover unique developmental patterns and challenges, offering insights for policymakers to foster sustainable and equitable growth.
What challenges do you anticipate in measuring well-being using your novel indicators?
The main challenges include data availability and consistency across countries, as well as ensuring that our indicators accurately capture complex aspects of well-being. We address these challenges by using robust data sources, standardizing measurement procedures, and validating our indicators through extensive testing and peer review.
How does the panel vector autoregression approach improve your analysis compared to standard panel data methods?
The panel vector autoregression approach allows us to account for dynamic interactions between variables over time, providing a more nuanced understanding of the relationships between financial development and income inequality. This method helps identify causality and feedback loops, offering deeper insights into economic development processes.
What are the key differences in economic development trends between China and the EU that you have observed so far?
Preliminary findings suggest that China has experienced rapid economic growth but faces significant challenges in income inequality and health disparities. In contrast, the EU demonstrates more stable growth with better health outcomes but struggles with slower economic progress in certain regions. These differences highlight the need for tailored policy approaches.
How do you ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data used in your research?
We ensure data accuracy and reliability by sourcing data from reputable institutions such as the World Bank and WHO, using rigorous data cleaning and validation processes, and cross-verifying results with multiple datasets. Additionally, we apply advanced econometric techniques to minimize errors and biases.
System Dynamics and Its Applications
How did you become interested in using system dynamics for your research?
I became interested in system dynamics due to its ability to model complex systems and predict long-term trends. Its interdisciplinary nature aligns with my research goals of understanding the multifaceted aspects of economic development and health, providing a holistic view of these systems.
Can you discuss a specific instance where system dynamics modeling provided insights that other methods could not?
In my study on China’s population trends, system dynamics modeling revealed how the aging population would significantly impact economic productivity and healthcare demands. Traditional methods did not fully capture these long-term interactions and feedback loops, demonstrating the unique value of system dynamics in forecasting and policy analysis.
What are some limitations of system dynamics modeling, and how do you address them?
Limitations include model complexity and the need for extensive data. We address these by simplifying models to focus on key variables, ensuring transparency in our assumptions, and continuously updating models with new data and insights from empirical research.
How do you validate the predictions made by your system dynamics models?
We validate predictions by comparing them with historical data and other established models, conducting sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of our results, and peer-reviewing our models through collaboration with other experts in the field.
Collaboration and International Experience
What specific skills or knowledge do you hope to gain from your research stay in Munich?
I aim to enhance my expertise in econometrics and system dynamics, learn new methodologies, and gain insights into European economic policies and practices. Collaborating with top researchers in Munich will also expand my professional network and provide opportunities for future research projects.
How do you plan to integrate the findings from your collaborations in Munich into your broader research?
I plan to incorporate the new methodologies and insights gained from my collaborations into my ongoing projects, ensuring a more comprehensive and comparative analysis of economic development. This integration will enhance the robustness and applicability of my research findings.
What strategies will you use to effectively collaborate with international researchers and navigate cultural differences?
Effective communication, mutual respect, and openness to diverse perspectives are key strategies. I will also leverage my previous international experience and use collaborative tools and platforms to facilitate seamless interaction and knowledge sharing.
Can you provide an example of a successful international collaboration you’ve been involved in previously?
During my previous research in Switzerland and China, I collaborated with researchers from multiple countries to develop a comprehensive well-being indicator. This collaboration led to the successful publication of our findings and the development of new research methodologies that are now widely used in the field.
Future Plans and Impact
How do you see your research contributing to policy-making in the fields of economic development and health economics?
My research provides policymakers with a more nuanced understanding of economic development and well-being, highlighting areas that require targeted interventions. By presenting comprehensive indicators and evidence-based insights, I aim to inform and guide policies that promote sustainable and equitable growth.
What are your long-term career goals, and how does this research stay align with them?
My long-term goal is to become a leading researcher in Development Economics and Health Economics, contributing to global policy-making. This research stay in Munich will enhance my expertise, expand my professional network, and provide opportunities for impactful collaborations, aligning perfectly with my career aspirations.
In what ways do you plan to disseminate your research findings to a wider audience?
I plan to publish my findings in high-impact journals, present at international conferences, and engage with policymakers through policy briefs and consultations. Additionally, I will use social media and public lectures to reach a broader audience and promote public understanding of my research.
How do you envision your work influencing future research in Development Economics and Health Economics?
By introducing novel indicators and methodologies, I hope to inspire future researchers to adopt a more holistic approach to studying economic development and well-being. My work aims to set a new standard for comprehensive analysis, encouraging further exploration and innovation in these fields.
Technical and Analytical Skills
Can you describe a complex econometric model you have developed and its implications?
I developed a panel vector autoregression model to analyze the relationship between financial development and income inequality. This model revealed the dynamic interplay between these variables, showing that financial development initially exacerbates inequality but leads to its reduction over time, validating the Kuznets curve hypothesis.
How do you stay updated with the latest advancements and techniques in your field?
I regularly read leading journals, attend conferences, and participate in workshops and webinars. Additionally, I am part of professional networks and online communities where researchers share the latest findings and advancements in Development
Economics and Health Economics.
What are some of the most significant technical challenges you’ve faced in your research, and how did you overcome them?
One significant challenge was dealing with missing or inconsistent data across countries. I overcame this by using advanced imputation techniques, cross-referencing multiple data sources, and collaborating with experts to ensure data accuracy and reliability.
Personal and Professional Development
What motivated you to pursue a second PhD, and how has it complemented your first PhD?
I pursued a second PhD to broaden my academic perspective, enhance my research skills, and expand my professional network. The interdisciplinary approach of my second PhD complements my first by integrating Development Economics with System Dynamics, providing a more comprehensive understanding of complex economic and health issues.
How do you balance your research with other professional and personal commitments?
Effective time management, setting clear priorities, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance are crucial. I schedule dedicated time for research, professional activities, and personal interests, ensuring that I stay productive and fulfilled in all aspects of my life.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the field of Development Economics and Health Economics?
Stay curious and open-minded, seek out interdisciplinary collaborations, and continually update your skills and knowledge. Engaging with diverse perspectives and being adaptable to new methodologies will enrich your research and contribute to your success in this dynamic field.
How do your hobbies and interests outside of academia influence your research or work style?
My hobbies, such as cooking, playing piano, and hiking, provide a creative outlet and help me maintain a balanced lifestyle. These activities enhance my problem-solving skills, foster creativity, and improve my overall well-being, which positively influences my research productivity and work style.
Q1: What is your primary area of research? A: Development Economics and Health Economics
Q2: Can you give us a Short Summary of your proposed Project? A: I plan to measure and compare economic development in China and the EU. Our novel indicators that include aspects other than GDP can be used to reveal well-being such as health, longevity, and income inequality. I test the Kuznets curve hypothesis which assumes an inverted U-shape relationship between financial development and income inequality by using the standard panel data approach and the panel vector autoregression approach.
I will compare economic development in China and the EU using new indicators that go beyond GDP to include health, longevity, and income inequality. I will also test the Kuznets curve hypothesis, which suggests an inverted U-shape relationship between financial development and income inequality, using standard panel data and panel vector autoregression methods.
Q3: What is the panel data method in econometrics? A: It's a technique that uses data from different countries over multiple time periods to more accurately study the relationships between variables.
Q4:《Beyond GDP》.What is this paper about? What's the main idea of this paper? A:
We measured well-being across 193 countries from 1990 to 2019 using a new indicator: human lifetime income (HLI). Overall, HLI can be interpreted as the income of the average person in an economy during the years in which the person is in good health. Compared with GDP pc we found that countries with better population health tend to rank higher in the well-being value.
Q5:《Using System Dynamics modeling to forecast China`s population until 2060 to visualize the aging and shrinking population trends》. What is this paper about? What's the main idea of the paper? A: This paper uses system dynamics modeling to predict the trends related to the issues of declining population sizes and increasing proportion of the aging population up until 2060.
Q6: What is system dynamics? A: System dynamics is a way to study and predict how things change over time within a system.
Q7: What are your plans after graduating? A: I would like to become a researcher in the fields of Development Economics, Health Economics, and demographics in Switerzland, Germany, or China. I am particularly interested in contributing my expertise to organizations focused on economic development, health, and inequality, because they are important issues and I like to work in reputable organizations such as the World Bank, WHO, and the UN.
Q8: Why does the proposal mention a comparison between China and the EU, but your papers measure different things? The first paper measures high-quality development in China; the second measures the HLI across 193 countries; the third evaluates PEHLI in 170 countries; and the fourth, which is not yet done, tests the Kuznets curve hypothesis.
A: During the research process, I realized that after studying China, I could extend the analysis to include China and the EU, and even broaden it to as many countries as possible, which includes comparison between China and the EU.
Q9: What is the status of your Dissertation? A: I have completed three papers for my dissertation and am currently preparing the fourth paper.
Q10: What was the focus of your first PhD, and when did you receive the degree? A: I focused on demographics and health economics. I have completed all the requirements and received my PhD diploma. The degree is currently going through the official announcement process, and I expect to have it formally recognized around October 1st.
Q11: Why did you pursue two PhD degrees? A: I pursued two PhD degrees because I aimed to broaden my academic perspective, resources, network, and fields, which in turn opens up more opportunities. My earlier research focused on China, but now I have expanded my studies to encompass global issues.
Q12: What are the differences between your two PhDs? A: In Switzerland and Germany, I focused on Development Economics and Health Economics. In China, my research covered Demographics, Health Economics, and System Dynamics.
Q13: Why are you going to Munich? When? A: 1. Because my Swiss supervisor, my German supervisor, and I work well together and the team is excellent.
Q14: Research stay in Munich? (what kind of research will you be doing in Munich?)
I will work on Three Empirical research papers, No 1 is my Swiss PhD dissertation and, if time allows, I will also participate in two other projects with my host supervisor. The two projects we are considering are: Refining the indicator system and Studying the impact of AI on human cognition.
Given the increasing human impact, global warming, and climate deterioration, I plan to improve the environmental sub-indicator and consider writing a new paper on measuring well-being.
Studying the impact of AI on human cognition involves conducting experiments using the RCT method with about 200 participants to study the impact of AI on human cognition. Through data analysis, the aim is to discuss both the positive effects (enhancing cognitive activity) and negative effects (increasing laziness) of artificial intelligence.
I will work on three empirical research papers, including my Swiss PhD dissertation. If time allows, I will also participate in two projects with my host supervisor: refining the indicator system and studying the impact of AI on human cognition.
Given environmental concerns, I plan to improve the environmental sub-indicator and consider writing a new paper on measuring well-being. The AI project involves experiments with about 200 participants to study AI's effects on human cognition, analyzing both positive (enhancing cognition) and negative (increasing laziness) impacts.
Q15: How will you complete your three projects? What is the process of your two projects? A: 1.For the panel data approach article: I will follow these steps: First, review the literature、then, identify research questions、collect data、build econometric models、estimate parameters, test hypotheses，and finally I will write the paper and discuss with my supervisor. 2.For the research lab paper, the process is: firstly, design and conduct experiments, collect, clean and analyze the data、build models、finally write the paper, and discuss with the team. The first paper is done solely by me with guidance from my supervisor. The second paper involves a research lab and collaboration with six other PhD students. Both are empirical research projects. They are in the initial phases.
Q16: What are your Interests and Hobbies? A: I enjoy cooking, playing piano, dancing, hiking, and organizing recreational trips. I like watching movies from around the world. I also enjoy visiting historical sites and museums.
Q17: What are your Creative and Artistic Skills? A: I have 4 years of formal piano instruction. I have a level 8 certificate (of 10). Also, I'm a trained hip-hop dancer and have won some awards.
Q18: What are your Technical Skills and Competencies? A: My technical knowledge includes quantitative data analysis, qualitative data collection, econometrics, and system dynamics modeling.
Q19: Will your visiting experience to Munich impact your future career significantly？ A: I plan to collaborate internationally as much as possible as my research field touches on all nations in the world. I hope that during my stay in Germany, I can begin and strengthen my relationships with German and international colleagues.
Q20: What is your Proposal Abstract? A: 1.China lags behind the EU in well-being, with more inequality and a wider income gap. 2.My doctoral dissertation focuses on the problem of how to measure well-being in any given country. 3.I will also test the Kuznets Curve hypothesis when comparing financial development and income inequality in the EU and China 4.The theory of Kuznets presents the hypothesis that as an economy develops, inequality first increases and then decreases, creating an inverted-U shape, which is known as the Kuznets Curve.
China lags behind the EU in well-being, with higher inequality and a wider income gap. My doctoral dissertation focuses on measuring well-being in different countries. I will test the Kuznets Curve hypothesis by comparing financial development and income inequality in the EU and China. The Kuznets Curve theory suggests that as an economy develops, inequality first increases and then decreases, forming an inverted U-shape.
Q21: How can panel data methods be used to test the Kuznets curve? A: To test the Kuznets curve with panel data, collect income, inequality and other variables data over time from various countries. Run a regression to see if the squared term of income is significant and negative, showing inequality first rising, then falling with income.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Development Economics and Health Economics?
How did you become interested in the specific research topic you chose for your dissertation?
Can you share an example of a challenge you faced during your research and how you overcame it?
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of academia?
Sample Main Interview Questions
Main Interview Questions
Can you give us a brief overview of your research and its significance in the fields of Development Economics and Health Economics?
Follow-up: What specific questions are you trying to answer with your research?
How do you apply the panel data method in your research? Can you provide an example from your dissertation?
Follow-up: What are some of the advantages and limitations of using panel data in your research?
What role does system dynamics play in your research, and how does it help in predicting changes over time?
Follow-up: Can you provide an example of how you've used system dynamics in one of your studies?
Why did you choose Munich for your research stay, and how do you think this experience will benefit your future career?
Follow-up: How do you plan to collaborate with your host professor and the team in Munich?
What are your long-term career goals, and how does this grant align with those goals?
Follow-up: How do you see your research contributing to organizations like the World Bank, WHO, or the UN?
Can you describe the current status of your dissertation and the progress you’ve made so far?
Follow-up: What are the main findings of your completed papers?
How do you approach empirical research, and what methodologies do you use?
Follow-up: Can you walk us through the process of one of your empirical research projects from start to finish?
How has your experience with international collaboration influenced your research and career aspirations?
Follow-up: What specific benefits do you see in working with colleagues from different countries?
Can you explain the importance of your research in the context of global economic development and health?
Follow-up: How do you think your research can impact policy-making in these areas?
What do you enjoy most about your research, and what keeps you motivated?
Follow-up: How do you balance your academic work with your hobbies and personal interests?
From the Chat:
What is your primary area of research? A: Development Economics and Health Economics
What is the panel data method in econometrics? A: It's a technique that uses data from different countries over multiple time periods to more accurately study the relationships between variables.
What is system dynamics? A: System dynamics is a way to study and predict how things change over time in a system.
What are your plans after graduating? A: I would like to become a researcher in the fields of Development Economics, Health Economics, and Demography in Switzerland, Germany or China. I am particularly interested in contributing my expertise to organizations focused on economic development, health, and inequality, such as the World Bank, WHO, and the UN.
Status of your Dissertation. A: I have completed three papers for my dissertation and am currently preparing the fourth paper.
Why are you going to Munich? When? A: 1.My Switzerland supervisor recommended it because we have collaborated on three papers with my host professor in Munich. 2.Our research interests align closely. 3.Munich offers a better team and platform for my research. 4.I plan to be there from September 1st to February 28th. However, I have already arrived early to get familiar with the team, work environment, and research lab.
How ? A: 1.For empirical research articles: I follow these steps: review the literature、identify research questions、collect data、build econometric models、estimate parameters test hypotheses，finally Write the paper and discuss with my supervisor. 2.In the research lab, the process is: design experiments、conduct experiments 、collect data、clean the data、analyze the data、build models、finally write the paper and discuss with the team. 3.The first paper is done solely by me with guidance from my supervisor. The second paper involves a research lab and collaboration with six other PhD students. Both are empirical research projects.
Interests and Hobbies? A: I enjoy cooking, playing piano, dancing, hiking and organizing trips. I like watching movies from around the world. I also enjoy visiting historical sites and museums.
The visiting experience has impacted my future career significantly？ A: I plan to collaborate internationally as much as possible as my research field touches on all nations in the world. I hope that during my stay in Germany, I can begin and strengthen my relationships with German and international colleagues.
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