Professor Gang Li was elected to the Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences in autumn 2026. He is Professor of Tourism Economics at the University of Surrey and an internationally recognised social scientist whose research bridges economics, tourism, behavioural science, and data analytics to address complex societal challenges.
Professor Gang LiFAcSS
Over the past two decades, Gang has pioneered methodological innovations grounded in systems thinking and spatial econometric approaches, advancing the analysis of consumer behaviour, mobility, regional development, and tourism demand. Alongside his methodological contributions, he has advanced understanding of risk and uncertainty, destination resilience, migration and mobility, quality of life, and the socioeconomic impacts of tourism. His research has helped establish new interdisciplinary perspectives on how individuals, businesses, and destinations respond to economic, environmental, and social change, while highlighting tourism’s role in sustainable development and societal wellbeing.
Gang’s work has been widely cited across the social sciences. In recognition of his global research influence, he was named a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher in the Social Sciences in 2024. His books on tourism econometrics and forecasting have shaped methodological standards and continue to guide researchers internationally.
Gang has worked extensively with organisations including European Commission, World Bank, OECD, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), VisitBritain, and VisitScotland. His research has informed tourism taxation, accessibility policy, investment appraisal, and destination forecasting, contributing to evidence-based policymaking across multiple countries. As Co-Editor-in-Chief of Annals of Tourism Research, a Fellow of the International Academy for the Study of Tourism, and a doctoral supervisor across economics, management, and behavioural science, Gang continues to champion the contribution of interdisciplinary social science research to addressing global challenges and supporting the achievement of the UN-SDGs.
Why do the social sciences matter?
My work is grounded in the belief that the social sciences matter because the most pressing challenges facing societies, economies, and communities are fundamentally human challenges. Whether addressing sustainable development, climate change, demographic shifts, technological disruption, or global mobility, the social sciences help us understand how people make decisions, respond to uncertainty, and adapt to change. Through tourism economics and interdisciplinary research, I have sought to generate evidence that informs policy, supports societal well-being, and contributes to more sustainable and resilient futures. The social sciences provide the bridge between knowledge and action, enabling research to create meaningful benefits for individuals, businesses, destinations, and society as a whole.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
What I enjoy most is the opportunity to work across disciplinary boundaries and connect rigorous research with real-world impact. I have been fortunate to collaborate with scholars from economics, behavioural science, geography, data science, and management, as well as policymakers and industry partners around the world. I find great intellectual satisfaction in developing new methodological approaches that help us better understand complex social and economic phenomena, while seeing research inform policy and practice is equally rewarding. Working with doctoral students and early career researchers is also one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career, particularly when supporting them to develop innovative ideas and become independent scholars.
What is the most urgent issue social scientists must tackle today?
One of the most urgent challenges for social scientists is understanding how societies can navigate increasing uncertainty and interconnected global risks. Climate change, technological transformation, migration, geopolitical instability, public health crises, and demographic change in the era of AI are reshaping economies and communities in profound ways. Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary research that advances understanding of human behaviour, resilience, mobility, inequality, and well-being. Social scientists have a critical role in providing evidence, informing policy, and helping ensure that economic development is both inclusive and sustainable.
What does being a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences mean to you?
Being elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences is both a tremendous honour and a significant responsibility. I am deeply grateful for this recognition of my research and its contribution to the social sciences. The Fellowship provides an opportunity to engage with an outstanding community of scholars across disciplines and to champion the value of social science research in addressing global challenges. I look forward to contributing to the Academy’s mission by advancing interdisciplinary scholarship, supporting the next generation of researchers, and strengthening the contribution of tourism economics and related social sciences to public policy and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.