(Correspondent Gao Yifei) On November 22, 2024, the 66th Xi Xian Forum, jointly sponsored by the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law's Center for International Cooperation and Disciplinary Innovation of Income Distribution and Public Finance (hereinafter referred to as "the Center") and the School of Public Finance and Taxation, was successfully held in Conference Room 119 of Wenqin Building. Professor Liu Xiuyan, Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management at Southeast University, was the keynote speaker of the academic forum, delivering a presentation on "How Urban Form Affects the Gender Wage Gap". Researcher Ye Jingjing from the Center moderated the forum, with over 10 participants including Professor Chen Sixia from the School of Public Finance and Taxation and researchers Lin Jiada, Wan Qian, and Zou Wei from the Center.
Professor Liu Xiuyan first introduced the basic concepts, classifications, acquisition methods, and processing techniques of geographical spatial data, showcasing its applications in economics. This included research on economic growth, urban spatial structures, regional poverty rates, daily overtime work, and population density, among others, based on nighttime light data. Subsequently, Professor Liu delved into the acquisition and processing of geographical spatial data, demonstrating the use of ArcGIS for data collection, analysis, storage, visualization, querying, and output.
While presenting methods for utilizing geographical spatial data, Professor Liu Xiuyan used a study on the impact of urban form on the gender wage gap as an example to explore how the decentralization of Chinese urban forms shapes gender wage inequality. Urban sprawl resulting in irregular and discontinuous urban forms directly affects spatial distribution disparities in economic activities and populations, leading to the continuous widening of gender wage gaps in China. Specifically, non-compact urban forms lower labor wages and exacerbate gender wage disparities. Further analysis reveals that decentralized urban forms increase commuting costs, particularly impacting women significantly, thereby reducing women's employment opportunities. Lastly, Professor Liu, based on the context of new urbanization, offers policy insights from an urban planning perspective to address gender inequality issues.
Professor Liu Xiuyan delivered a captivating speech that not only engaged the audience but also sparked profound contemplation. During the discussion session, both faculty and students actively participated, engaging in extensive exchanges concerning research design, influencing mechanisms, and the utilization of geographical spatial data.
Guest Profile
Liu Xiuyan, Chief Professor and Associate Dean of School of Economics and Management of Southeast University, Candidate of the National Talent Program, chief expert of major projects of the National Social Science Fund of China, Executive Director of Regional Science Association of China, Executive Director of Chinese Association of Regional Economics, Vice Chairman of Spatial Analysis Professional Committee of Regional Science Association of China, Deputy Secretary-General of New Economic Geography Professional Committee, Vice Chairman of Discipline Construction Professional Committee of Chinese Association of Regional Economics, and Member of the Urban and Regional Professional Committee of China Economic Annual Conference. He has published more than 100 papers and two academic monographs in domestic and foreign core journals such as Economic Research Journal, Journal of Management World, China Industrial Economics, The Journal of World Economy, and China Economic Quarterly, presided over more than 30 major, key, general, and youth projects of the National Social Science Fund of China and provincial and ministerial-level vertical scientific research projects, and won 1 second prize and 1 third prize of Outstanding Scientific Research Achievements Award of Higher Education Institutions of the Ministry of Education, as well as 6 provincial and ministerial awards, including 2 first prizes of Jiangsu Provincial Outstanding Achievement Award in Philosophy and Social Sciences. He was selected into the "China Young Economist" program of YICAI and awarded the "2017 China Young Economist Award". In 2021, he won the Outstanding Young Scholar Award of China City 100 Forum jointly signed and issued by the presidents of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.