About
Qi Li is an Assistant Professor in the Edinburgh Business School within the School of Social Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom. She is actively involved in research and supervision, with a focus on critical perspectives in accounting and gender dynamics in the profession.
Research Interests:
- Critical Accounting
- Social Accounting
- International Accounting (with focus on East Asia)
- Accounting Profession under Globalisation
- Gender, Feminist Theory, and Professional Identity in Accounting
- Women in the Accounting Profession in China and the UK
Her research is informed by feminist poststructuralist theory, examining how gender, identity, and institutional structures intersect in the accounting field. She is particularly interested in the evolving role of women in accounting in China and the impact of sociocultural factors on professional trajectories.
Her recent work, including a forthcoming article in The Accounting Review, explores generational shifts and identity transformations among Chinese women accountants outside public accounting. This reflects broader trends in her research: analyzing identity, power, and inclusion in global accounting practices.
Scientific Awards and Funding:
- ICAS-funded research grant (£15,000) for a study on the impact of health and wellbeing—specifically menstruation, menopause, and miscarriage (the 3Ms)—on the recruitment, progression, and retention of women professional accountants in the UK.
Advising and Grants: Qi Li is currently accepting PhD students and is interested in supervising research in critical accounting, social accounting, international accounting (especially related to East Asia), and the accounting profession in the context of globalisation. She leads a collaborative research project with Dr. Eleni Chatzivgeri (University of Edinburgh), Prof. Louise Crawford (Newcastle University), and Prof. Rania Kamla (University of Edinburgh), highlighting her active role in securing external funding and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Labs and Research Teams: While no formal lab is mentioned, Qi Li is part of a dynamic research network focused on gender, identity, and accounting. She collaborates with leading scholars across UK institutions and contributes to shaping discourse on inclusivity and wellbeing in the accounting profession.
