The workshop garnered sponsorship from the World-Class Workshop Fund and the Edinburgh Futures Institute Research Capability Fund, with great support from several University departments, including the Postgraduate Research Office, the Management Science and Business Economics Group, the Accounting & Finance Group, and the Research Degree Committee. We are delighted to have renowned experts for our workshop: Professor Guojun He from the University of Hong Kong, Professor Jonathan Batten from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Professor Huimin Zhao from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Professor Yizhe Dong from the University of Edinburgh, and Professor Yao Wang from the Central University of Finance and Economics.
The workshop opened with welcome remarks from Zongxiao Wu and Jiang Dai, PhD students at the University of Edinburgh. Zongxiao Wu expressed gratitude to the attendees and emphasized the importance of assembling such a diverse and scholarly group to discuss the latest advancements in FinTech and sustainable finance. Jiang Dai outlined the workshop's structure, introduced the organizing committee, and the keynote speaker, and detailed the conference agenda, stressing the significance of collaboration and interdisciplinary research in these rapidly evolving fields.
Moving to the keynote speech of the event, Professor Guojun He delivered a compelling speech titled “Emission Abatement under Incomplete Information and with Local Externalities”. He explored the intricate dynamics between incomplete information and localized environmental effects on emission reduction strategies, using detailed econometric models. His presentation sparked a lively Q&A session focused on improving data accuracy and policy effectiveness in environmental studies, and the potential of advanced technologies in enhancing data collection and analysis to better address local externalities.
A notable Editors' Panel Discussion featured insights from Professor Guojun He, Professor Jonathan Batten, Professor Huimin Zhao, and Professor Yizhe Dong. Moderated by Yifan Qi, the panellists shared their experiences with publishing in renowned journals, discussed the criteria for a “good paper,” and strategies for responding to reviewer feedback. This panel provided invaluable guidance for PhD students and early-career researchers on publishing in prestigious journals. Another highlight was the introduction of the ESG Database by Professor Yao Wang, Dean of the Academy of Green Finance from the Central University of Finance and Economics. This tool's potential to advance research in sustainable finance was thoroughly discussed, emphasizing the workshop's focus on pioneering financial technologies and sustainability.
For the parallel sessions, we received over 60 enthusiastic submissions from leading European institutions. After a rigorous selection process, we chose 16 outstanding papers from esteemed institutions including the University of Cambridge, London Business School, the University of London, the University of Manchester, the University of Glasgow, Paris Dauphine University, Cardiff University, the University of Bath, Heriot-Watt University, the University of Sheffield, the University of Reading and the University of Edinburgh. These papers covered innovative topics in FinTech and significant advancements in sustainable finance, such as green bonds and diversity strategies.
The event’s closing speech was moderated by Mengjing Li and concluded with Professor Yizhe Dong announcing the Best Paper Awards. Weiwei Guo from Cardiff University was honoured for her analysis "The Impacts of Bitcoin On-chain and Off-chain Factors on Market Efficiency" in the FinTech category, and Darcy Pu from London Business School received the award in Sustainable Finance for his work "Abnormal Local Temperatures and Asset Prices".
A gala dinner following the workshop provided a conducive environment for networking and socializing, offering the 40 guests, organizers, and presenters a valuable opportunity to foster new professional relationships, exchange ideas, and engage in enriching conversations, thereby extending the impact of the workshop beyond its formal proceedings.
Overall, the 2024 Edinburgh World-Class Workshop in FinTech and Sustainable Finance has effectively established a vibrant academic platform for intellectual exchange and laid the groundwork for future collaborative research in these crucial areas.
Signed, 2024 Edinburgh World-Class Workshop in FinTech and Sustainable Organizing Committee:
- Zongxiao Wu (Management)
- Jiang Dai (Finance)
- Yifan Qi (Finance)
- Pei Chu (Marketing)
- Chen Feng (Management)
- Mengjing Li (Finance)
- Gan Wang (Management)
- Xuesi Wang (Finance)
- Tian Yang (Finance)