Dr. Chao Li holds Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in Economics from the Business School of Shandong University, as well as a postdoctoral fellowship in Law. He completed a government-sponsored joint doctoral program at the University of Warwick, UK, and served as a visiting scholar at Case Western Reserve University in the United States. He currently holds the position of Associate Professor at the Business School of Shandong University and serves as a doctoral supervisor and postdoctoral collaborative mentor. He was selected for the Young Scholars Future Plan at Shandong University and concurrently serves as Assistant to the Dean of the Business School, Deputy Director of the Editorial Office of Labor Economics Review (a CSSCI-indexed journal), Researcher at the Center for Quality of Life and Public Policy Research, and Researcher at the Research Center of Labor Economics and Human Resources of Shandong University. Additionally, he acts as a peer reviewer for many CSSCI, SSCI, and SCI journals. His primary research interests focus on human capital. He has led multiple nationally and provincially funded research projects, including those supported by the National Social Science Fund of China, Humanities and Social Sciences Fund of the Ministry of Education, the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Fund, the Shandong Provincial Social Science Fund, and the Shandong Provincial Postdoctoral Innovation Fund. As the first author, he has published over twenty academic articles in CSSCI, SSCI, and SCI indexed journals, many of which appear in journals ranked within the top quartile (JCR Q1). Two of his papers have achieved high citation, download, and PCS metrics in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). He has authored three academic monographs and contributed invited articles to renowned platforms such as Teahouse for Economists, Chinese Social Sciences Today, Sungkyun China Watch, People’s Daily Online, Guangming Online, and the Chinese Social Sciences Network. Since beginning his academic career, he has received many awards, including the Outstanding Party Member of China Zhi Gong Party in Shandong Province, second prize for Excellence in Theoretical Research from the Shandong Provincial Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, Outstanding Author of the journal of Population & Economics, Advanced Individual in Scientific Research, Excellent Thesis Supervisor, Outstanding Instructor of the “Challenge Cup” Competition, and Excellent Undergraduate Mentor. During his studies, he was awarded the highest student honor at Shandong University – the President’s Scholarship (during the doctoral study) – as well as the National Scholarship during his both the doctoral and undergraduate programs.
Work Experience
Shandong University 2023.09.- Present
Business School, Associate Professor, PhD Supervisor, Research Interests: Human Capital
Shandong University 2018.07.- 2023.08.
Business School, Lecturer, Master’s Supervisor, Research Interests: Human Capital
Shandong University 2018.07.- 2020.07.
Law School, Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Interests: Human Capital
Case Western Reserve University 2019.06.- 2019.08.
Weatherhead School of Management, Visiting Scholar
Education
Shandong University 2014.09.-2018.06.
Business School, Doctor of Economics, Political Economy, Research Interests: Human Capital
University of Warwick 2015.08.-2016.08.
Institute for Employment Research, Jointly Doctoral Student Funded by the China Scholarship Council
Shandong University 2011.09.-2014.06.
Business School, Master of Economics, Labor Economics, Research Interests: Human Capital
Chung Yuan Christian University 2012.09.-2013.01.
Business School, Visiting Graduate Student
Shandong University 2007.09.-2011.06.
Business School, Bachelor of Economics, Finance
Papers
[1] Li, C.*, & Lao, W. (2025). Artificial Intelligence Shock, Risk Appetite and Financial Market Participation: A Novel Explanation for the “Limited Participation Puzzle” from a Perspective of Technological Disruption in the Labor Market. International Journal of Emerging Markets, forthcoming. (SSCI JCR Q1)
[2] Li, C.*, & Lao, W.* (2025). Internet of Things’ Sustainability Effects: Quantile and Temporal Insights. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12, 396. (SSCI JCR Q1)
[3] Li, C.*, Lao, W., Li, X., & Zhang, Y. (2024). Automated Workforce, Financial Precarities and Family Consumption: The Importance of Demand-Side Policies under the Background of Automation Applications. Economic Analysis and Policy, 84, 1287-1308. (SSCI JCR Q1)
[4] Li, C.*, Li, X., Zhang, Y., & Lao, W. (2024). Interpersonal Interactions, Sense of Loneliness and Perceived Depressive Emotions among Older Adults: A Cultural-Psychological Perspective from Heterogeneous Roles of Different Relationships. SSM-Population Health, 27, 101703. (SCI & SSCI JCR Q1)
[5] Li, C.*, Lao, W., & Wang, S. (2024). Risk Assessment of Unclean Cooking Energy Usage from the Perspective of Subjective Wellbeing: The Mediating Role of Perceived Physical and Mental Health. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 281, 116603. (SCI JCR Q1)
[6] Li, C.*, Lao, W., Zhou, J., & Liao, Y. (2024). Impact of Green Technology and Green Finance on Carbon Neutrality from the Quantile and Dynamic Perspectives. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 1-37. (SCI JCR Q2)
[7] Li, C., Zhang, Y., Li, X., & Hao, Y.* (2023). Artificial Intelligence, Household Financial Fragility and Energy Resources Consumption: Impacts of Digital Disruption from a Demand-Based Perspective. Resources Policy, 88, 104469. (SSCI JCR Q1)
[8] Li, C.*, Li, X., Li, Y., & Niu, X.* (2023). The Nonlinear Relationship Between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Perceived Depression in the Chinese Population. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 16, 2103-2124. (SSCI JCR Q1)
[9] Li, C.*, & Sun, D. (2023). Women’s Bargaining Power and Spending on Children’s Education: Evidence from a Natural Experiment in China. International Journal of Educational Development, 100, 102787. (SSCI JCR Q1)
[10] Li, C.*, Ning, G.*, & Xia, Y. (2023). Does Exercise Participation Promote Happiness?: Mediations and Heterogeneities. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1033157. (SCI & SSCI JCR Q1)
[11] Li, C.*, Xia, Y., & Wang, L. (2023). Household Unclean Fuel Use, Indoor Pollution and Self-Rated Health: Risk Assessment of Environmental Pollution Caused by Energy Poverty from a Public Health Perspective. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31, 18030-18053. (SCI JCR Q1)
[12] Li, C., Ning, G.*, Wang, L., & Chen, F. (2022). More Income, Less Depression? Revisiting the Nonlinear and Heterogeneous Relationship Between Income and Mental Health. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1016286. (SSCI JCR Q1)
[13] Li, C.*, Zhang, Y., Niu, X., Chen, F., & Zhou, H. (2023). Does Artificial Intelligence Promote or Inhibit On-the-Job Learning? Human Reactions to AI at Work. Systems, 11(3), 11030114. (SSCI JCR Q1)
[14] Li, C.*, Wang, L.*, Luo, R., Ning, G., Zhao, P., & Yu, X. (2022). Complexity Between Aging and the Structure of Financial Market: Empirical Evidence from Microdata. Complexity, 5226827. (SCI JCR Q2)
[15] Li, C.*, Ning, G.*, Xia, Y., & Liu, Q. (2022). Health Benefits of Physical Activity for People with Mental Disorders: From the Perspective of Multidimensional Subjective Wellbeing. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 1050208. (SCI & SSCI JCR Q2)
[16] Li, C.*, Ning, G.*, Xia, Y., Guo, K., & Liu, Q. (2022). Does the Internet Bring People Closer Together or Further Apart? The Impact of Internet Usage on Interpersonal Communications. Behavioral Sciences, 12(11), 12110425. (SSCI JCR Q2)
[17] Niu, X., Li, C.*, Li, X., & Zhang, Y. (2024). Impacts of Workplace Automation on Energy Poverty: The New Challenge of Achieving SDG 7 in the Context of Technological Revolution. Heliyon, 10(3), e25087. (SCI JCR Q1)
[18] Li, C., & Ning, G.* (2024). The Saving Effect of Machines Replacing Workers: Income Shock, Consumption Changes and Evolution of Risk Preferences in Technological Revolution. Studies in Labor Economics, 1. (CSSCI)
[19] Li, C., & Ning, G.* (2023). How Does the Application of Artificial Intelligence Affect the Preference for Human Capital Investment? Social Sciences in Guangdong, 4. (CSSCI)
[20] Li, C., & Wang, Y.* (2020). Household Real Estate, Wealth Effect and Micro Educational Investment Preference. Labor Economic Review, 1. (CSSCI)
[21] Li, C., & Luo, R. (2018). Societal Ageing, Precautionary Motive and Household Saving Rate: Empirical Analysis on China’s Second Population Dividend. Population & Economics, 2. (CSSCI)
[22] Li, C., & Luo, R. (2017). Aging, Grandparenting and Rural Out-Migration: A Study Based on the Micro Perspective of Family Decisions. Comparative Economic & Social Systems, 2. (CSSCI)
[23] Li, C. * (2017). Research Perspectives on Ageing Families. Labor Economic Review, 2. (CSSCI)
[24] Li, C. (2016). Population Aging, Childcare Burden, and Micro-level Human Capital Investment: An Empirical Study Based on China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) Data. Economic Perspectives, 12. (CSSCI)
[25] Li, C. (2015). Paradigms, Theoretical Core and Dilemmas of Western Industrial Relations Research: A Literature Review. Labor Economic Review, 1. (CSSCI)
[26] Li, C. (2023). Past, Present, and Future of China’s Economic Development from the Perspective of Population Evolution. Sungkyun China Brief, 2. (Journal of the Academy of East Asian Studies Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea)
[27] Li, C. (2017). Raising Children: Investment or Consumption?. Teahouse for Economists, 77.
[28] Li, C. (2017). The Dual Effects of Aging on Rural-Urban Labor Mobility. Chinese Social Sciences Today, May 24.
[29] Li, C. (2013). The Structural Characteristics of China’s Labor Shortage. Chinese Social Sciences Today, April 10.
[30] Luo, R., & Li, C. (2016). Analysis of Economic Research Hotspots in China in 2015. Economic Perspectives, 4. (CSSCI)
[31] Luo, R., & Li, C. (2017). Analysis of Economic Research Hotspots in China in 2016. Economic Perspectives, 3. (CSSCI)
[32] Luo, R., & Li, C. (2018). Analysis of Economic Research Hotspots in China in 2017. Economic Perspectives, 4. (CSSCI)
[33] Luo, R., Teng, K., & Li, C. (2019). Analysis of Economic Research Hotspots in China in 2018. Economic Perspectives, 4. (CSSCI)
[34] Luo, R., & Li, C. (2015). On the Equilibrium of Industrial Relations – From the Perspective of Property Rights and Legal Rights. Academic Monthly, 9. (CSSCI)
[35] Luo, R., & Li, C. (2012). Eight Factors Influencing China’s Labor Shortage. Chinese Social Sciences Today, August 22.
Books
[1] Li, C. (2025). Human Capital Development and Chinese Modernization. Shanxi Economic Publishing House.
[2] Li, C. (2019). Research on Micro-Level Human Capital and Asset Investment in the Context of Aging. Intellectual Property Publishing House.
[3] Luo, R., Li, Y., Li, C., & Zhang, M. (2019). Study on the Intergenerational Relationship of Human Capital. Intellectual Property Publishing House.
Research Projects (Principal Investigator)
[1] Project of the National Social Science Foundation, “Study on the Mechanism and Pathways of Human Capital Quantity-Quality Transformation and Its Impacts on High-Quality Economic Development under the New Demographic Transition”, 2024.01.-2026.12, Project No.: 23CJL007, Principal Investigator.
[2] Humanities and Social Sciences Research Project of the Ministry of Education, “Influence of Dual Transitions in Population Structure and Fertility Policy on Household Human Capital Investment”, 2019.01.-2021.12, Project No.: 19YJC790055, Principal Investigator.
[3] China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Project (First-Class Funding), “Research on Micro-Level Human Capital Investment Mechanisms in the Aging Society”, 2018.11.-2020.07, Project No.: 2018M640618, Principal Investigator.
[4] China Scholarship Council Project, “Analysis of Intergenerational Relations in Employment and Human Capital Investment Among Different Groups in the Context of Aging: A Comparative Study of China and the UK”, 2015.09.-2016.09, Project No.: 201506220136, Principal Investigator.
[5] Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation Project, “Study on the Reciprocal Mechanism Between Household Fertility Preference and Human Capital Investment Under the Background of Relaxed Fertility Policies”, 2021.01.-2023.12, Project No.: ZR2020QG038, Principal Investigator.
[6] Shandong Provincial Social Science Research Project, “Study on the Coupling Enhancement Mechanism of Human Capital Investment in Quantity and Quality Under Relaxed Fertility Policies”, 2019.01.-2020.12, Project No.: 19DJJJ08, Principal Investigator.
[7] Shandong Provincial Postdoctoral Innovation Project, “Influence of Relaxed Fertility on Household Human Capital Investment Preference”, 2019.10.-2020.07, Project No.: 201902018, Principal Investigator.
[8] Humanities and Social Sciences Research Project of Shandong Higher Education Institutions, “Study on the Mechanism and Pathway of Human Capital Growth and Its Impact on High-Quality Population Development Under Low Fertility”, 2024.01.-2025.12, Project No.: 2024ZSMS018, Principal Investigator.
[9] Human Resources and Social Security Research Project of Shandong Province, “Study on the Structural Impact of Low Fertility and Aging on the Employment of Older and Young Workers in Shandong Province”, 2024.01.-2024.12, Project No.: 2024YBKT-32, Principal Investigator.
[10] Shandong Provincial Education Development Micro Research Project, “Study on the Five-Axis Integration Mechanism for Improving Career Planning Education from the Perspective of Heterogeneous Preferences”, 2024.01.-2024.12, Principal Investigator.
[11] Shandong University Graduate Education Research Project, “Study on the Core Courses Structure of Non-Full-Time Master’s Programs in Business – Taking Introduction to Engineering Project Management as an Example”, 2024.01.-2024.12, Principal Investigator.
[12] Management Science Cases Database Construction Project of Business School, Shandong University, “Biyiwei’s Technical Upgrading Path in the Context of Cross-Border E-Commerce”, 2022.12.-2023.05, Principal Investigator.
Awards
[1] Selected into the Shandong University Young Scholars Future Program, 2025.03.
[2] Outstanding China Zhi Gong Party Member of Shandong Province, 2022.12.
[3] Second Prize for Excellent Theoretical Research Awarded by Shandong Provincial Committee of China Zhi Gong Party, “Research on Building a Dynamic Poverty Alleviation and Poverty Rebound Prevention Mechanism Centered on Human Capital in the Post-Poverty Alleviation Era”, 2020.12, Rank: Sole author.
[4] Second Prize for Excellent Teaching Plan, 2023.09, Rank: Sole author.
[5] Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor, 2023.09, Rank: Sole contributor.
[6] Outstanding Individual in Scientific Research, Business School (2 times), 2023.09. & 2024.09.
[7] Outstanding Thesis Advisor for Undergraduates, Business School (2 times), 2023.09. & 2024.09.
[8] Second Prize of Shandong Provincial Ninth Teaching Achievement Award, 2022.03, Rank: 11/11.
[9] Second Prize of Shandong University Teaching Achievement Award, 2021.12, Rank: 7/13.
[10] Excellent Advisor for the Campus “Challenge Cup” National College Students Extracurricular Academic and Scientific Works Competition, 2020.12.
[11] Outstanding Author of the Population & Economics Journal, 2018.07, Rank: Sole author.
[12] Shandong University President’s Scholarship (for PhD Student), 2017.12.
[13] National Scholarship (for PhD Student), 2017.12.
[14] National Scholarship (for Undergraduate Student), 2009.12.
Professional Activities and Services
[1] Dean Assistant of the School of Business, Shandong University
[2] Deputy Managing Editor of the Labor Economics Review (CSSCI)
[3] Anonymous Reviewer for over 20 CSSCI/SSCI/SCI Journals
(Above information is updated in March 2024.)
