Assoc Prof Dr. Mohan Li | Innovative Leadership | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Mohan Li | Innovative Leadership | Best Researcher Award

Guangdong University of Finance and economics, China

Author profile

Orcid

Professional Endeavors 🧑‍🏫

Currently serving as a lecturer in Tourism Management at the School of Cultural Tourism and Geography, Guangdong University of Finance & Economics, Mohan Li has taken on multifaceted responsibilities that extend far beyond classroom instruction. He plays a key role in delivering comprehensive undergraduate and postgraduate modules that span tourism marketing, tourist behavior, wine tasting, visual culture in tourism, and research methods. His teaching is marked by a clear commitment to academic excellence and pedagogical innovation.

Mohan is also deeply engaged in student support outside the classroom. He supervises academic projects and guides students through professional placements, national tourism competitions, and other experiential learning activities. His mentoring has inspired numerous students to pursue tourism studies more passionately, helping them bridge the gap between theory and industry practice. His vibrant teaching style and approachable demeanor have earned him a reputation as a respected and supportive educator among students and colleagues alike.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

At the heart of Mohan Li’s academic identity lies a strong commitment to research. His areas of inquiry are diverse yet interconnected, encompassing mobilities, tourism marketing, tourist behavior, material culture, and the aesthetics and politics of tourism visuality. His scholarly work examines how tourists perceive and interact with destinations, how visual and material cues affect tourist decisions, and how tourism marketing shapes both place identity and tourist expectations.

Mohan’s current research investigates the nuanced interplay between material culture and tourist experience, especially within the context of visual representation and digital media. By delving into how destinations are constructed, consumed, and remembered visually, he contributes to the evolving discourse on the image-based consumption of places in the age of Instagram and TikTok. This focus is timely and essential, given the increasing role that visuals play in global tourism narratives.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

While Mohan remains modest in demeanor, his efforts have not gone unnoticed. He has gained respect within the academic community for his contributions to innovative teaching and his forward-looking research. His involvement in national tourism student competitions as a mentor has led to student recognition at various levels. His dedication to curriculum development and student-centered teaching has also contributed significantly to the academic reputation of his faculty.

Though early in his academic career, Mohan has been praised for his interdisciplinary research perspectives and for introducing contemporary themes into tourism education, such as visual storytelling, digital tourism marketing, and the emotional geography of travel experiences.

Impact and Influence 🌏

Mohan Li’s influence is felt not only within the university but also in the broader field of tourism studies in China. His teaching has shaped the perspectives of future tourism professionals, marketers, and researchers. By equipping students with critical analytical tools and encouraging them to explore both traditional and modern dimensions of tourism, he plays a pivotal role in shaping tourism education in Guangdong and beyond.

In addition, his research is beginning to resonate with wider academic audiences, especially those interested in cultural geography, visual studies, and consumer behavior. Mohan’s focus on the aesthetics and affective dimensions of travel experiences reflects a progressive and culturally informed approach to tourism studies.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🌟

Looking ahead, Mohan Li is poised to make further contributions to tourism academia and practice. His ongoing projects are set to expand current understandings of how visual representation and materiality intersect with tourist behavior. He is likely to play an important role in bridging the gap between academic research and the operational realities of tourism marketing, offering insights that are both theoretically grounded and practically applicable.

Moreover, Mohan’s collaborative spirit and interdisciplinary vision position him well for future leadership in research networks, curriculum reform, and tourism consultancy. His legacy will not only be in his publications or accolades, but also in the students he inspires, the colleagues he uplifts, and the industry practices he helps to innovate.

Notable publications 

Understanding the airborne experiences of passengers with depression in long-haul air travels

Author: Mohan Li
Journal: Tourism Management
Year: 2025

 Power and the visual consumption of tourist place in the digital age

Author: Mohan Li
Book: Handbook of Tourism and Consumer Behavior
Year: 2024

The role of air in the sustainable development of urban destinations

Author: Mohan Li
Book: Handbook on Sustainable Urban Tourism
Year: 2024

Chineseness and behavioural complexity: rethinking Chinese tourist gaze studies

Author: Mohan Li
Journal: Tourism Review
Year: 2022

Towards an understanding of Chinese tourist photography: evidence from the UK

Author: Mohan Li
Book: Current Issues in Asian Tourism: Volume II
Year: 2021

Laura Clark Hunt-Strategic Leadership-Best Researcher Award 

Laura Clark Hunt-Strategic Leadership-Best Researcher Award 

University of Southern Mississippi-United States 

Author Profile

 Early Academic Pursuits

Laura K. Clark Hunt embarked on her academic journey with a focus on Information Science/Studies at Florida State University. She earned her Master's degree in 2011 and went on to complete her Ph.D. in Information Science/Studies in 2016 from the same institution.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Clark Hunt has been serving as an Assistant Professor on a tenure-track at the School of Library and Information Science within the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi since September 1, 2021.

Her commitment to effective college instruction is demonstrated by her certification in "Effective College Instruction" from the Association of College and University Educators/American Council on Education.

She has been actively involved in teaching a variety of courses related to library and information science, including Development of Library Collection, Technology in the School Library, Programs and Services for Youth, Library Management, Studies in Early Children's Literature, Public Libraries, and Topics in Services to Library Clientele.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Clark Hunt's research focuses on various aspects of library science and information literacy. Her notable research includes a systematic review and case study on "Students with Disabilities Perceptions on the Library and College" published in the Journal of Academic Librarianship. She has also explored the experiences of public librarians in cases of censorship, as evident in her publication in the Public Library Quarterly.

In terms of external funding, she has been successful in obtaining grants, such as the "Service-Learning Faculty Fellows Seminar" sponsored by the Center for Community Engagement at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Clark Hunt received the ACUE Distinguished Teaching Scholar award in November 2022, recognizing her excellence in teaching at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Impact and Influence

Her work on topics such as creating inclusive environments in academic libraries, cultural heritage-infused curriculum, and the privacy paradigm shift for librarians has made a significant impact. Dr. Clark Hunt has presented her research findings at various conferences, including ALISE Annual Conference and ALLA Annual Convention, contributing to the broader academic community.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Clark Hunt's legacy is marked by her commitment to education, research, and service. Her extensive involvement in professional organizations, such as Beta Phi Mu and the American Library Association, positions her as a thought leader in the field. Her ongoing research projects, including "Creating Quality Environments in Academic Libraries for Disabled Persons," indicate a commitment to addressing contemporary challenges in the field.

As she continues her academic journey, Dr. Clark Hunt is poised to make further contributions to the field of library and information science, shaping the future of education and research in this domain.

Notable Publications