About Me
Economist, lecturer, and data enthusiast across three countries.
Hi, I'm Yu Han. An economist passionate about data, education & sustainable development.
I am an economist and university lecturer at Ningbo University of Finance and Economics. My research focuses on education, sustainable development, and the economics of China–Africa relations, with a particular interest in environmental and resource economics. I hold a Ph.D. in Economics from Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, with degrees earned in Finland and Estonia along the way.
Beyond research and teaching, I work extensively with data — using Python, R, and Stata for cleaning, econometric modeling, and statistical mapping. I also share teaching content on my YouTube channel and publish papers, projects, and code on GitHub.
SkillsWhat I work on
Highlights
Policy report adopted by a provincial governor
A 2019 think-tank report on green development education drew on Finland's experience and received a written commendation and implementation directive from the Governor of Jiangxi Province, leading to practical exploration by the Provincial Development and Reform Commission and Department of Education.
Peer-reviewed research on China–Africa investment
Co-authored study (2023) in the Journal of Henan Normal University analyzing whether China's direct investment in Africa is driven by "resource plundering" or by market and efficiency motives.
Funded research projects
Led a Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics innovation fund project on resource endowment and China's investment in Africa, and participated in a provincial social-science project on the planning of Nanchang Yangtse Island.
Teaching award
Third Prize in the 14th Teaching Excellence Competition for Young Teachers at West Anhui University (2016).
My Journey
- 2024 – Present
Lecturer · Ningbo University of Finance and Economics
Teaching Big Data and Risk Management, Financial Markets and Institutions, and Quantitative Investment.
- 2018 – 2023
Ph.D. in Economics · Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics
Specialization in Population, Resources and Environmental Economics.
- 2015 – 2024
Lecturer · West Anhui University
Taught Big Data Analysis, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Investment Analysis, Investment Funds, and International Finance.
- 2013 – 2015
M.A. · Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
Master of Arts, specialization in Financial and Economic Analysis.
- 2011 – 2013
B.B.A. · Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
Bachelor of Business Administration, major in International Business.
Jiangxi Model of Green Development Education
Zhu, L., & Han, Y. (2019). Building the Jiangxi Model of Green Development Education and Solidifying the Cornerstone of Green Growth: Experience and Inspiration from Finland. Jiangcai Think Tank Special Report, No. 19. [Second author; supervisor is first author].
Impact: The report received written commendation and an implementation directive from Governor Mao Weiming of Jiangxi Province, leading to practical exploration by the Provincial Development and Reform Commission and the Department of Education.
China's Direct Investment in Africa
Zhu, L., & Han, Y. (2023). "Resource Plundering" or Market and Efficiency Driven? Motivations of China's Direct Investment in Africa [in Chinese]. Journal of Henan Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences), 50(3). [Second author; supervisor is first author].
DOI: 10.16366/j.cnki.1000-2359.2023.03.11