Dr. Wenxin Xie | Organizational behavior | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Wenxin Xie | Organizational behavior | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Wenxin Xie | Organizational behavior – Assistant Professor at Shanghaitech University, China

Dr. Wen-Xin Xie is a rising academic star in the field of Organizational Behavior, with a distinct research focus on creativity, team dynamics, and leadership structures. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at ShanghaiTech University’s School of Entrepreneurship and Management, she has demonstrated exceptional academic productivity, pedagogical excellence, and a forward-thinking approach to human-AI collaboration. With a global academic background and active participation in leading international conferences, Dr. Xie brings a well-rounded, interdisciplinary, and innovative perspective to her research and teaching. Her work is widely respected and continues to shape the conversation in her fields of study.

Profile:

Google Scholar

Education:

Dr. Xie’s educational path reflects her dedication to academic excellence and international engagement. She earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from University College London, where she trained under esteemed scholars Colin Fisher and Sarah Harvey. Before this, she completed both her M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Business Administration from Zhejiang University, one of China’s most prestigious institutions. She also participated in a distinguished international exchange program at Erasmus University of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, further enriching her research with cross-cultural academic insights.

Experience:

Dr. Xie has served as an Assistant Professor at ShanghaiTech University since 2021, where she teaches a range of undergraduate and graduate courses on Innovation Science, Design Thinking, and Leadership. Her teaching evaluations are consistently excellent, often exceeding 4.75/5, and she is known for engaging, research-integrated instruction. Prior to this, she was a seminar instructor and guest lecturer at University College London, where she was nominated for the Brilliant Research-based Teaching Award. In addition to her teaching, Dr. Xie plays a vital role in the global research community through active participation in conferences, symposia, and peer reviewing.

Research Interests:

Dr. Xie’s research spans several critical and timely domains within organizational behavior. Her primary interests include team creativity, creative processes, and the cognitive mechanisms underlying innovation. She is particularly interested in how leadership structures—both traditional and shared—interact with environmental uncertainty to shape team dynamics and creative output. Recently, she has expanded her work to explore the integration of artificial intelligence in ideation processes, examining how digital tools influence creativity, ownership perception, and innovation quality. Her interdisciplinary perspective fuses psychology, leadership theory, and technology in compelling ways.

Awards:

Dr. Xie has earned numerous accolades that reflect her academic impact and leadership potential. Among the most notable is the Shanghai Magnolia Talent Award (2022), a top distinction granted to outstanding talents in academia. She was a Best Paper Finalist in the MOC Division at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting (2018), and she co-chaired a Showcase Symposium across three major divisions (MOC, OB, OMT) in 2019. She was also nominated for the Student Choice Awards for Research-based Teaching at UCL and selected for the OB Doctoral Consortium at the Academy of Management. These honors underscore her excellence in both research and teaching.

Publications:

Here are seven selected publications that demonstrate Dr. Xie’s scholarly reach and relevance:

  1. 📘 Xie & Fisher (2024) – European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology
    “How shared leadership and task complexity shape expectations of team effectiveness.”
    ▶️ Illuminates how leadership dynamics influence team performance under pressure.
  2. 🎨 Fisher et al., incl. Xie (2021) – Creative Success in Teams (Academic Press)
    “How crediting authorship affects creativity evaluations.”
    ▶️ Highlights the psychological impact of team crediting on creative judgment.
  3. 🔄 Xie (2019) – Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings
    “Leadership attributions: The role of uncertainty and communal schemas.”
    ▶️ Breaks new ground on how ambiguity shapes leadership perception in teams.
  4. 🧠 Harvey, Kou & Xie (2019) – Creative Leadership: Contexts and Prospects (Routledge)
    “Leading for creative synthesis: A process-based model for creative leadership.”
    ▶️ A go-to reference for scholars exploring leadership as a creative enabler.
  5. 🔍 Xie, Yang & Zhou (2015) – Science of Science and Management of S&T
    “Overqualification and job crafting behavior: The role of resilience.”
    ▶️ Explores how excess talent and psychological resilience drive innovation.
  6. 🤖 Xie & Wang (in preparation) – Working Paper
    “AI-assisted idea generation: Ownership perception and idea overevaluation.”
    ▶️ A timely piece exploring biases in AI-enhanced creativity.
  7. 🌐 Xie et al. (under review) – Strategic Management Journal
    “How uncertainty dynamics shape support for novel ideas in diverse teams.”
    ▶️ Offers strategic insight into diversity, uncertainty, and innovation.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Dr. Wen-Xin Xie stands out as a researcher who seamlessly integrates empirical rigor with conceptual innovation. Her work pushes the boundaries of how we understand creativity, team collaboration, and leadership in dynamic and technologically evolving environments. She has not only demonstrated academic excellence through her research and awards but also enriched the learning experiences of students through high-quality teaching. Given her accomplishments, commitment to scholarly advancement, and growing influence in her field, Dr. Xie is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

 

 

 

 

Vicki Baker | Development | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vicki Baker | Development | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vicki Baker | Development – Professor at Albion College, United States

Dr. Vicki L. Baker is a distinguished scholar in the field of higher education with a robust academic and administrative career. She specializes in faculty development, leadership development, mentoring, liberal arts colleges, and identity formation. Over the course of her career, Dr. Baker has contributed significantly to research and practices in academia, particularly in fostering leadership in higher education. With numerous published works and influential contributions to the development of higher education policies, Dr. Baker is widely recognized for her academic expertise and leadership skills. She currently serves as the Associate Dean for Strategic Partnerships & Innovation at Albion College, where she spearheads efforts in fostering partnerships and enhancing experiential learning opportunities.

Profile:

Google Scholar

Education:

Dr. Baker holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from The Pennsylvania State University, where she honed her expertise in educational leadership and management. She also earned an M.S. in Management and Organization from the Smeal College of Business at Penn State. Additionally, she completed an M.B.A. from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated with honors and received the Beta Gamma Sigma recognition for being among the top 10% of her class. Dr. Baker’s academic journey was further enriched by a B.S. in Safety Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, coupled with minors in Applied Statistics and Spanish. Her international immersion at The Center for Bilingual and Multicultural Studies in Cuernavaca, Mexico, furthered her cross-cultural understanding and added to her global academic perspective.

Experience:

With an extensive career in both academic and administrative roles, Dr. Baker has amassed a wealth of experience in leadership and institutional development. She currently holds the position of Associate Dean for Strategic Partnerships & Innovation at Albion College, where she oversees initiatives related to faculty development and strategic college-industry partnerships. In this role, she has successfully secured major grants, including a $400,000 NSF EPIIC grant, and has played a pivotal role in advancing experiential learning initiatives. Dr. Baker’s leadership extends beyond institutional borders, as she is deeply involved in strategic planning, fundraising, and the development of cross-functional collaborations. She has also mentored numerous faculty members, helping them navigate the complexities of academic leadership while fostering innovation and professional growth within their institutions.

Research Interests:

Dr. Baker’s research interests are broad and deeply impactful, focusing primarily on leadership development, faculty professional growth, and mentoring within the context of higher education. She explores how faculty development programs can be optimized to enhance institutional effectiveness and promote faculty engagement. A significant portion of her work examines the dynamics of liberal arts colleges and how these institutions can balance tradition with innovation in their academic and community service missions. Additionally, Dr. Baker’s research delves into identity formation in academic settings, with an emphasis on how faculty and students navigate professional and personal development. Her ongoing research seeks to integrate evidence-based strategies for leadership training with practical, real-world applications that can transform higher education institutions.

Awards:

Dr. Baker has received multiple recognitions for her excellence in research, leadership, and academic service. She was awarded the Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field of higher education. Furthermore, her research has been continuously cited by scholars and practitioners, underscoring the influence and relevance of her work. She is a recognized leader in her field, and her efforts in advancing educational development and faculty mentorship have been integral to shaping the policies and practices in many academic institutions.

Publication:

Dr. Baker’s scholarly output is vast, with notable publications in top-tier journals. Here are some of her key publications:

  1. Baker, V.L. & Boland, L.M. (2023). “Harnessing the Power of the Sabbatical: Providing Strategic Guidance to Faculty Developers.” Journal of Faculty Development, 37(3), 48-53.
    Cited by: 45+ scholars in the field of academic leadership.
  2. Pifer, M.J., Tevis, T.L., & Baker, V.L. (2023). “Advancing the Institution and the Individual: Women’s Enactment of Equity-Minded Leadership in Colleges and Universities.” The Journal of Higher Education.
    Cited by: 50+ related studies on equity and leadership in higher education.
  3. Young, S.P., & Baker, V.L. (2024). “Developing Leaders Through Rotational Programs: What is the Cost to Followers?” Global Business & Organizational Excellence, 43, 72-88.
    Cited by: 30+ in leadership studies.
  4. Baker, V.L., & Walling, C. (2023). “Community Engaged Learning in Liberal Arts Colleges: Developing Engaged Citizens.” The Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education, 15(1), 23-36.
    Cited by: 60+ in community engagement research.
  5. Austin, A.E., Singer, S.R., Grimm, A., Baker, V.L., & Shanks, L. (2024). “Organization Change Networks (OCNs): A Framework for Understanding Their Development and Functioning.” Innovative Higher Education.
    Cited by: 20+ in organizational development literature.
  6. Baker, V.L., & Pifer, M.J. (2023). “Colleagues, Culture, and Leadership: The Academic Department as a Location of Faculty Experiences in Liberal Arts Colleges.” Review of Higher Education, 42(2), 537-564.
    Cited by: 40+ in liberal arts and leadership studies.
  7. Baker, V.L., & Manning, C.E.N. (2022). “Fostering Professional Development through Undergraduate Research: Supporting Faculty Mentors and Student Researchers.” Mentoring & Tutoring Journal, 30(2), 216-234.
    Cited by: 35+ in mentoring research.

Conclusion:

Dr. Vicki L. Baker is a highly respected scholar and leader in higher education, with a distinguished record of impactful research, teaching, and service. Her work in faculty development, leadership, and mentoring has not only contributed to the academic community but also shaped institutional policies that foster student and faculty success. Through her role at Albion College and her extensive publications, Dr. Baker has consistently demonstrated her commitment to advancing the field of higher education. Her research is widely cited and has influenced practices across various domains of academia. As an educator, researcher, and administrator, Dr. Baker continues to make significant strides in improving faculty development and leadership, making her a worthy nominee for the Best Researcher Award.

Vivian Chu | Sustainability policy and collaborative governance | Best Researcher Award

Dr.Vivian Chu | Sustainability policy and collaborative governance | Best Researcher Award 

Lecturer The University of Hong Kong  Hong Kong  

Dr. Vivian Ho Yee Chu is a dedicated Lecturer and Deputy Director at The University of Hong Kong’s Centre for Civil Society and Governance. Her work focuses on sustainability leadership, governance, and environmental management. She actively supports the MSocSc in Sustainability Leadership and Governance and contributes to academic publications on commoning, collaborative governance, rural revitalization, and sustainability assessment.

Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Dr. Chu holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from The University of Hong Kong, where she researched policy entrepreneurship and transboundary externalities in the Greater Pearl River Delta region. She also earned an MSc in Environment, Science and Society from University College London and a BSc in Geography from the same institution.

Experience 🧑‍🏫

Since October 2022, Dr. Chu has been a Lecturer at The University of Hong Kong. She is also the Deputy Director of the MSocSc in Sustainability Leadership and Governance program. Previously, she served as an Assistant Lecturer, Post-doctoral Fellow, and Senior Research Assistant at the same institution. Dr. Chu has been involved in various teaching, research, and coordination roles, significantly contributing to the development of sustainability impact assessments and academic publications.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Chu’s research interests encompass sustainability impact assessment, collaborative governance, rural revitalization, and commoning. She is particularly focused on the creation of robust social-ecological systems and the role of policy brokers and learning in rural sustainability.

Awards 🏆

  • ESG Professional Certificate for International Sustainable Business (ISB) Specialist Level II (2023)
  • Fellow of Advance HE, the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and learning support in higher education (2021)
  • Certificate of Distinction for outstanding oral presentation at the 15th Annual Research Postgraduate Conference (2015)
  • Professional Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2020)
  • Certificate of Completion on Mental Health First Aid Standard Course (2013)
  • Certificate of Teaching and Learning Stage 1 (2012)

Publications 📚

  1. Williams, J.M., Chu, V. H. Y.*, Lam, W. F., Law, W. W. Y. (2024). “Nested Institutions for Nested Problems: Commoning for Rural Revitalisation in the Peri-Urban Setting.” International Journal of the Commons (In copyediting).
  2. Chu, V. H. Y., Lam, W. F., Law, W. W. Y., Yiu, S. (2023). “Sustainability Impact Assessment: Framework and Report on HSBC Rural Sustainability,” Centre for Civil Society and Governance, The University of Hong Kong.
  3. Chu, V.H.Y., Lam, W.F., Williams, J.M. (2023). “Building robustness for rural revitalisation: A social-ecological systems perspective,” Journal of Rural Studies, 101, 103042. [Cited by: 4 articles]
  4. Chu V.H.Y., Law W.W.Y., Williams J.M. (2022). “Advocacy coalitions in rural revitalisation: the roles of policy brokers and policy learning,” Environmental Science and Policy, 136: 9-18. [Cited by: 7 articles]
  5. Williams J.M., Chu V.H.Y*., Lam W.F., Law W.W.Y. (2021). “Revitalising Rural Communities,” SpringerBriefs on Case Studies of Sustainable Development, Singapore: Springer. (*corresponding author). [Cited by: 10 articles]
  6. Chu V.H.Y., Lee A.K.Y. (2019). “Institutional obstacles and opportunities for policy entrepreneurship in cross-border environmental management: a case study in China’s Greater Pearl River Delta region,” Asian Geographer, 36:2, 165-183. [Cited by: 5 articles]
  7. Lee, F., Chu, V.H.Y. (2017). “Policy entrepreneurship, policy diffusion and transboundary environmental regulation: Evidence from Southern China,” Mondes en Développement, 177:1,13-27. [Cited by: 3 articles]