Dr.Xi Zhao received a dual bachelor’s degree from Peking University, a master’s degree from Technische Universität Dresden, and a PhD and postdoctoral degree from Kassel University, Germany. She currently works as the director of the Sino-German Economic Development and Innovation Research Center (SGEDI) and an Associate Professor at the School of Economics and Management, Hefei University, China. Her research interests include innovation and entrepreneurship, finance, sustainability, and digital economy.