On July 1, 2026, the 2nd Future Scholars in Finance Forum was held in Beijing. Initiated and hosted by Tsinghua University PBC School of Finance (PBCSF), with the Asian Bureau of Finance and Economic Research (ABFER) as co-organizer, the forum aims to broaden the academic horizons of young scholars in finance, strengthen their research capabilities, and provide a high-level platform for presenting research findings and exchanging academic ideas.
Photo: Group photo of forum participants
The forum received 311 paper submissions from young scholars at universities and research institutions in China and abroad. Following a rigorous review process, 15 papers were selected for presentation. The papers were presented in four academic sessions covering asset pricing, corporate finance, macro-finance, and financial technology. Twelve distinguished scholars in finance were invited to serve as discussants, providing valuable opportunities for academic exchange and feedback.
Photo: Forum sessions in progress
At the lunchtime roundtable, titled “Academic Job Market and Career Development for Young Scholars,” Professor Xiaoyan Zhang, Senior Associate Dean and Chair Professor of Finance at PBCSF, moderated a discussion featuring Professor Xiaoyun Yu, Associate Dean of the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Professor Nianhang Xu, Chair of the Department of Finance at the School of Business, Renmin University of China, and Professor Bohui Zhang, Executive Dean of the School of Management and Economics (SME) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. The panelists shared their perspectives on research capability development, publication strategies, international perspectives, academic collaboration, and career development, drawing on their experience in finance education and academic recruitment. They encouraged young scholars to pursue original research to high academic standards, engage with China's development priorities and the international research frontier, and continue to strengthen their research capabilities and academic communication skills. The panelists also highlighted the importance of long-term career planning, professionalism, and an open and rigorous approach to academic work.
Photo: Roundtable discussion
Academic Session I: Asset Pricing
Photos: Presenters and discussants in Academic Session I
Baiyang Han (Stanford University), Jiali Gao (Queensland University of Technology), Di Tian (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), and Yite Zhu (PBCSF, Tsinghua University) presented their research. The papers were discussed by Professors Bing Han (University of Toronto), Jun Tu (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), and Tao Shu (The Chinese University of Hong Kong).
Academic Session II: Corporate Finance
Qinrui Xiahou (The University of Hong Kong), Jushen (Jason) Zou (Cornell University), Xinyi Shao (Renmin University of China), and Shijie Zhao (Peking University HSBC Business School) presented their research. The papers were discussed by Professors Xiaoyun Yu (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Nianhang Xu (Renmin University of China), and John Jianqiu Bai (Northeastern University).
Photos: Presenters and discussants in Academic Session II
Academic Session III: Macro-Finance
Shuwen Wang (Columbia University), Jiaxin Wang (Peking University HSBC Business School), and Yuqin Lei (PBCSF, Tsinghua University) presented their research. The papers were discussed by Professors Hengjie Ai (University of Wisconsin–Madison), Kai Li (PBCSF, Tsinghua University), and Yan Shen (National School of Development at Peking University).
Photos: Presenters and discussants in Academic Session III
Academic Session IV: FinTech
Xiaoyu (Joanna) Wang (Peking University HSBC Business School), Heqing Shi (University of Edinburgh), Zhenkun Ying (Renmin University of China), and Yuejie Wang (School of Finance, Central University of Finance and Economics) presented their research. The papers were discussed by Professors Bohui Zhang (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen), Bernard Yeung (Southern University of Science and Technology), and Yu-Jane Liu (Guanghua School of Management, Peking University).
Photos: Presenters and discussants in Academic Session IV
Photo: Posters featuring the selected papers
The successful conclusion of the 2026 Future Scholars in Finance Forum marks another step in PBCSF's efforts to support the development of young scholars in finance. The forum provided a platform for early-career researchers to present their work, engage in in-depth academic discussions, and establish connections for future collaboration. It also encouraged young researchers to address important questions arising from China's financial development and explore new frontiers in financial research. Looking ahead, the forum will continue to refine its paper selection process and work toward establishing itself as an influential academic conference in the finance community in China and internationally. By connecting scholars in China with the broader international research community, the forum aims to support the next generation of finance scholars and contribute to the development of China's financial sector.
