Chih-Hung Pai | Performance Management | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Chih-Hung Pai | Performance Management | Best Researcher Award

Director of the Leisure Tourism Development Research Center | The University of Zhejiang Yuexiu University | China

Professor Chih-Hung Pai is an accomplished scholar whose research focuses on the intersections of sustainable tourism, hospitality management, and environmental economics. With a portfolio of nine scholarly publications, 78 citations, and an h-index of 4, his academic influence reflects both depth and interdisciplinary breadth. His body of work contributes significantly to understanding how sustainable practices, innovative technology, and policy frameworks can jointly enhance economic growth and ecological preservation within global tourism systems. His recent studies highlight the integration of environmental conservation and economic progress, emphasizing how sustainable tourism practices shape global economies and support long-term resilience. His contributions to leading indexed journals, including Current Issues in Tourism, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, and Resources Policy, have offered novel insights into green finance mechanisms, carbon neutrality promotion, and cultural tourism development. Through empirical modeling and policy evaluation, he explores strategies that enable regions, particularly in Asia, to transition toward environmentally responsible and economically viable growth models. In parallel, his research investigates technological innovation in hospitality, analyzing how digital tools, machine learning, and green technologies influence customer experience, service recovery, and organizational competitiveness. Studies such as those on technology adoption in green hotels and data-driven assessments of cultural tourism experiences underscore his commitment to integrating artificial intelligence and sustainability in modern service systems. Furthermore, his work on eco tourism experiences, leisure behavior, and corporate social responsibility within the hospitality sector enriches the understanding of human environment interactions and their socio-economic implications. Collectively, Professor Pai’s scholarly output represents a forward-thinking approach to sustainability science bridging theory with practice and providing actionable pathways for policymakers, educators, and industry stakeholders seeking to harmonize economic prosperity with ecological balance in the evolving global tourism landscape.

Featured Publication

Pai, C.-H., Zhang, Y., Wang, Y.-L., Li, K., & Shang, Y. Current challenges and opportunities in cultural heritage preservation through sustainable tourism practices. Current Issues in Tourism.

Abdoul Karim Saidou | Conflict Resolution & Mediation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Abdoul Karim Saidou | Conflict Resolution & Mediation | Best Researcher Award

Political science | The University of  Thomas Sankara | Burkina Faso

Dr. Saidou Abdoul Karim is a distinguished political scientist whose research advances critical understanding of governance, democracy, and security in West Africa. His scholarly contributions explore the complex interactions between political regimes, public policy, and state-building in contexts marked by transition, insecurity, and reform. His research is characterized by a comparative and interdisciplinary approach, bridging political science, sociology of public action, and international relations to examine how African states govern through crises and transformation. Central to his work is the analysis of public policy dynamics, particularly in the areas of security and political reform. He investigates how political regimes shape policy agendas, how institutional instruments influence decision making, and how democratic processes are affected by conflict and instability. His studies frequently focus on Burkina Faso, Niger, and the broader Sahel, addressing the tensions between democracy, governance, and security. His research also engages with the regional dimension of African politics, especially through the role of  in promoting democratic norms and managing security challenges. His numerous peer reviewed publications in leading international journals, such as Democratization, Journal of Modern African Studies, Africa Spectrum, and Afrique Contemporaine, reflect a deep engagement with questions of legitimacy, participation, and power. His writings on the securitization of migration, youth involvement in security policies, gender quotas, and the instrumentalization of democracy contribute to a richer understanding of political change in African societies. His book chapters and collaborative works extend his analysis to regional peace and security mechanisms, the political dimensions of diaspora participation, and the governance of armed conflicts. By combining theoretical innovation with empirical depth, his research provides essential insights into how African states and societies negotiate democracy and security. His work stands as a key contribution to contemporary debates on governance, policy reform, and the political future of the Sahel and West Africa.

Featured Publications

Saidou, A. K., & Bagayoko, S. From euphoria to disenchantment: Temporality and the changing local perceptions of international interventions in Mali. Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding.

Naré, R. H., & Saidou, A. K. Understanding public policy through the lens of political regimes: The case of episodic change in agriculture policy in Burkina Faso  Africa Spectrum.

Saidou, A. K., & Honig, L.  Legitimising regimes and legalising self-defence groups: The case of Burkina Faso’s VDPs. The Journal of Modern African Studies

Saidou, A. K.  L’Afrique face au dilemme des deux analyse constructiviste de la politique étrangère à partir des cas du Niger et du Burkina Faso. Canadian Journal of Political Science.

Saidou, A. K., & Bertrand, E. Security as a campaign issue: Programmatic mobilization in Burkina Faso’s elections.

Junqiao Hong | Learning & Development | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Junqiao Hong | Learning & Development | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer at The University of  Southwestern University of Finance and Economics | China

Dr. Junqiao Hong is a distinguished researcher and lecturer at the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, with a PhD from Renmin University of China. He specializes in rural development, labor migration, and climate change, contributing significantly to understanding the socioeconomic and environmental dynamics in China. Dr. Hong has an impressive academic and professional track record, including publications in high-impact journals such as the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization and Climate Policy, reflecting his expertise in rigorous quantitative and policy-oriented research. His professional experience encompasses teaching, mentoring, and conducting applied research at the Institute of Western China Economic Research, where he examines the impact of poverty alleviation relocation on rural households’ migration decisions and livelihood vulnerability, as well as analyzing the effects of wildfires on different types of property. He possesses strong research skills in data analysis, field surveys, policy evaluation, and socioeconomic modeling, enabling him to generate insights with practical relevance for policymakers and communities. Dr. Hong is a member of the Beijing Association of Agricultural Economics, highlighting his commitment to professional engagement and scholarly collaboration. While he has yet to engage extensively in editorial roles or consultancy projects, his focused research contributions have already garnered recognition, positioning him for future awards and professional honors in economic and environmental research. Looking ahead, Dr. Hong demonstrates strong potential to advance knowledge at the intersection of climate policy and rural economic development, with opportunities to expand interdisciplinary collaborations, develop innovative methodologies, and influence policy formulation. Overall, Dr. Hong exemplifies a dedicated, impactful researcher and educator whose work not only advances academic understanding but also addresses real-world challenges, establishing him as a leading figure in his field with considerable promise for continued scholarly excellence and societal contribution.

Profile:  ORCID

Featured Publications

 Wang, X., Deng, X., Hong, J., Jian, W., & Yang, Z. The impact of wildfires on local property values in Wisconsin, United States. Climate Policy. Advance online publication.

 Qiu, H., Hong, J., Wang, X., & Filipski, M. Home sweet home: Impacts of living conditions on worker migration with evidence from randomized resettlement in China. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. Advance online publication.

 Hong, J., Liu, M., Qiu, H., & Feng, X. Can a poverty alleviation programme really help vulnerable rural households? Insights from China. Applied Economics. Advance online publication.