Runda Gao

Runda Gao (also known as Rita Gao) is a Lecturer in Business Management and Programme Leader for the BA International Business programme at Leicester Castle Business School, De Montfort University (DMU), Faculty of Business and Law. She joined DMU in September 2022 after prior teaching roles at Coventry University and Birmingham City University.

Education:

• PhD in International Business Economics, Coventry University (2019–2022)
• MSc in International Economics, Banking and Finance, Cardiff University (2017–2018)
• BSc (Hons) in International Economics and Trade, Zhejiang University (2013–2017)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Her research centers on International Business Economics, International Trade, and Applied Econometrics, with a strong emphasis on quantitative analysis using statistical software such as Stata, R, EViews, GAUSS, and SPSS. She investigates economic dynamics in global contexts, including foreign direct investment and aging-related behavioral economics. Her interdisciplinary work bridges business, economics, and digital well-being.

The two most recent publications reflect a dual focus: one on FDI determinants in Chinese producer services using sectoral data, and another on the psychological impact of smartphone use on emotional regulation in aging populations. These works span econometric modeling and behavioral neuropsychopharmacology, indicating a broad methodological and thematic range.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

She has contributed as a named researcher on externally funded projects, including grants from the National Social Science Fund of China and the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education, focusing on labor supply effects of active aging and policy optimization. She teaches core modules such as Global Business Environment and Economics in Global Business and provides postgraduate dissertation supervision. While no formal lab or research team is mentioned, her collaborative research suggests active engagement in academic networks in China and the UK.