High Profile Chinese Government Award for Northumbria Academic

6th August 2018

A Newcastle Business School academic has received a prestigious award in China for his research into knowledge exchange and innovation.

Professor Yu Xiong won the Chongqing Development Research Award, issued by the Chongqing Municipal Government. He is the only UK-based academic to have achieved the accolade. The award recognises the value of statistical think tanks and analytical research quality, and is aimed at further strengthening the decision-making, consultation and research work for authorities in China.

Professor Xiong’s research focuses on `International Talents’ who leave their countries of birth to live and work overseas. Despite concerns over the potential negative impact of losing the brightest and best – often referred to as the brain drain - Professor Xiong has found evidence of a far more positive affect on the home country than previously thought, especially through knowledge exchange.

He said: “There has been considerable work carried out in this area by researches in China, so to be the only UK-based academic recognised with this award is a huge honour. The Chongqing Municipal Government holds high political status and influence in China.

“Much of the research undertaken by academics in the UK, including here at Newcastle Business School, is focused on knowledge exchange for example to support business partners with their growth and competitiveness. My research has found clear evidence that when this is carried out by international academics the value and benefits will flow back to their home countries as well as where they carry the research out. I believe the findings are important and will help overcome widely held misconceptions.”

Professor Xiong is Chair of Technology and Operations Management at Newcastle Business School. He is also co-Director of the North East Innovation Observatory - led by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership. In recent years, he has helped facilitate up to £22 million of innovation investment in the UK, via his role as director of Cocoon Networks Ltd in London, and through a Newcastle-based initiative working alongside the Tsinghua University Science Park Group (TUS Park Group). Recently, working with Yingde Group, he initiated a 5 million GBP fund to invest North East start ups and SMEs.