21 Last checked 12 April 2022

Professor Jun Li is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He holds a PhD from Lancaster University. He has previously worked at the University of Essex, the University of Bedfordshire, Birmingham City University, and Chinese Academy of Science. He held visiting professor appointments in a number of reputable Chinese universities, including Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Jilin University, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Jianghan University, and Shantou University. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies and on the editorial board of Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy and Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies. He was a guest editor of six special issues for five ABS-listed journals, including Entrepreneurship and Regional Development (2020, ABS 3*). He served as a Board Trustee of Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (2017-2020) and a board member of Chinese Economic Association (UK/Europe)(2008-2022). He was the President of Chinese Economic Association (UK/Europe) in 2011-2012.

Professor Li has published two research monographs and co-edited two books, which were published by Routledge, a highly prestigious international publisher. He has published papers in top ABS 3* and 4* journals such as Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Regional Studies, Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, Journal of Business Research, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Business Strategy and the Environment. His research work presented at international conferences received international awards including the EURAM best paper award for entrepreneurship (2021), and ISBE best paper award for self-employment and wellbeing (2018).     

Professor Li has extensive experience of teaching across undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes. He has examined PhD theses at top UK and overseas universities.

Professor Li’s research interests include entrepreneurship and wellbeing, entrepreneurship and resilience, ageing and entrepreneurship, eco-innovation, and open innovation. These academic inquiries are conducted within different contexts in both developed and emerging economies and apply different theoretical lenses, including institutional theory, dynamic capability, social network, and psychological theory. 

Professor Li has successfully supervised to completion 9 doctoral theses as a main supervisor and 7 doctoral theses as a co-supervisor. He welcomes PhD applications on topics concerning entrepreneurship and wellbeing, entrepreneurship and resilience, ageing and entrepreneurship, sustainable entrepreneurship, and open innovation.