DR at Nanjing Agricultural University, China.
Yongchao Zhang 🇨🇳 is a dynamic young researcher in the field of rural land management and urban-rural integration 🌍🏡. With a strong academic foundation and deep passion for socio-economic development, he has significantly contributed to understanding land policy reforms in China 🇨🇳. He is currently pursuing advanced research at Nanjing Agricultural University 🏫 and has also been a joint Ph.D. scholar at AgroParisTech, University Paris-Saclay 🇫🇷. His work explores the governance of homestead transfers, rural household welfare, and revitalization strategies 🚜👨👩👧👦. Zhang has authored multiple high-impact journal papers 📚 and has served as a reviewer for prestigious SSCI/SCI journals 🌐. His global exposure and field-based research make him a standout figure among young scientists 🧠. An active academic with conference contributions and award recognitions 🏆, Yongchao is passionate about applying his research to drive equitable rural transformation 🚀🌾.
Professional Profile:
ORCID
Suitability For Young Scientist Award – Dr. Yongchao Zhang
Yongchao Zhang exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding young scientist. His academic excellence, cross-border research collaborations, and impactful field-based work in rural land management and urban-rural integration position him as a strong candidate. His scholarship is not only theoretically sound but also policy-relevant, offering solutions to complex rural development challenges in China and beyond. His ability to engage with international academic communities, publish in high-impact journals, and present at global conferences further underscores his leadership potential in the scientific community.
📘 Education
Yongchao Zhang 📘 began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s in Land Resource Management from Inner Mongolia Normal University 🎓. He pursued a Master’s degree at East China University of Technology 🏫, where he developed his expertise in surveying, land renovation, and real estate valuation 🏗️📐. He then completed his Ph.D. studies at Nanjing Agricultural University 🎓—a top-ranked institution for land management—focusing on rural land policies and public policy analysis 📊. Notably, he was also a Joint Ph.D. scholar at AgroParisTech, University Paris-Saclay 🇫🇷, through a prestigious China Scholarship Council (CSC) award 🌍, deepening his knowledge in rural governance and land sustainability across borders 🌿🏘️.
💼 Research & Work Experience
Zhang’s hands-on research began with NSFP-funded field projects in rural China 📋🚜, gathering household-level data on homestead transfers and welfare. He has conducted empirical research in Liaoning and Chongqing 🏞️, contributing to national discussions on land use reform. His research encompasses data collection, analysis, policy interpretation, and collaborative publication writing ✍️📊. In addition to academic research, Zhang has presented at over seven national and international conferences 🌐, held reviewer roles for major international journals 📝, and produced impactful working papers on urban-rural development integration 🏡➡️🏙️. His experience reflects a solid combination of theoretical modeling and grassroots engagement.
📚 Professional Development
Yongchao Zhang has consistently invested in academic and professional development 📈. As a reviewer for SSCI/SCI journals like Land, Sustainability, and International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 📝🌱, he plays an active role in peer review and knowledge dissemination. He’s a member of the Chinese Economics Society and Asian Economic Association 🌐, reflecting his involvement in international scholarly communities. His academic network includes collaborations with globally recognized scholars like Prof. Andre Torre 🇫🇷 and Prof. Shuyi Feng 🇨🇳. Zhang has delivered oral presentations at prestigious national forums, including Tsinghua and the China Land Society 📢, and has won multiple awards for research excellence 🏅. He continues to enhance his research through interdisciplinary knowledge in economics, governance, and environmental science 💡, solidifying his place among young professionals leading impactful land management research.
Research Focus
Yongchao Zhang’s research falls under Rural Development and Land Policy Reform 📑🏡. He focuses on the governance of rural homestead transfers, analyzing both government-led and market-based mechanisms ⚖️🛠️. His work contributes to understanding the livelihood transformation of rural households 👨👩👧👦 and the role of land policy in rural revitalization 🌾. Using institutional economics, especially Williamson’s transaction cost theory 📘, Zhang explores why different regions adopt mixed or singular governance models for land transactions 🔄. He investigates how homestead circulation affects social capital, population migration, and income growth in underdeveloped regions 📈. His case studies from Northeast and Southwest China provide actionable insights for policymakers and planners 🗺️. Overall, Zhang’s research aims to develop frameworks that guide rural land use reforms and improve rural welfare outcomes across China and similar developing contexts 🌍.
Research Skills
Yongchao Zhang has developed a specialized set of skills aligned with policy analysis, empirical modeling, and rural governance research 🧠📊. He is skilled in designing large-scale field surveys, conducting econometric and qualitative analysis 🧾🔍, and developing institutional frameworks for land governance 🏘️. His use of theories such as transaction cost economics, Maslow’s needs theory, and multi-dimensional function analysis shows his capacity for complex conceptual work 🧩. Zhang demonstrates proficiency in academic writing, journal reviewing, and interdisciplinary research presentation 💬✍️. He brings policy-oriented insights to practical problems, applying his research to support urban-rural integration strategies 🔄🌆. His familiarity with GIS, aerial mapping 🗺️📡, and public policy software strengthens his applied research capacity. These research skills make him a valuable contributor to land economics, rural development planning, and institutional policy innovation 📈🌾.
🏅 Awards & Honors
Yongchao Zhang has received multiple academic and leadership awards 🏆. He earned the Second Prize and First Prize for Doctoral Academic Scholarships in 2016 and 2017 🎓🥇. As a representative of outstanding international students, he was invited to participate in diplomatic events in France 🇫🇷, including state visits by President Xi Jinping and Vice President Wang Qishan 🤝, earning Outstanding International Student Volunteer titles 🏅. He also won an Excellence Award for Academic Forum Presentation 🗣️📜. Beyond academics, he was part of the Freshman Cup Basketball Champion Team 🏀 at his university. These accolades highlight both his academic excellence and his diplomatic and interpersonal skills on global platforms 🌍✨.
Publication Top Notes
1. Heterogeneous Labour Market Trajectories in the EU: Convergence, Divergence and Stagnation Across Regions
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Journal: The Annals of Regional Science, Vol. 74, Article 40, 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/S00168-025-01379-1
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WOSUID: WOS:001471424600001
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Authors: Kamila Borsekova, Samuel Korony, Hans Westlund
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Summary: The study explores labor market patterns across EU regions and reveals varying regional trends. While some regions are catching up economically (convergence), others are lagging (divergence) or showing stagnation. Policy implications are discussed for achieving regional cohesion.
2. Understanding the Impact Mechanisms of China’s Rural Homestead Transfer Policy on Household Welfare: A Perspective of Labor Migration
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Journal: Habitat International, September 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.habitatint.2025.103486
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Authors: Yongchao Zhang, Zvi Lerman
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Summary: This paper investigates how the rural homestead transfer policy in China enhances household welfare. The findings highlight labor migration as a key channel through which households improve income, consumption, and living standards.
3. Public Rental Housing and Long-Term Settlement Intention of the Migrants in China: The Mediating Effect of Identity
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Journal: Buildings, Vol. 14, No. 9, 2024
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DOI: 10.3390/buildings14092774
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Authors: Cuicui Du, Wenlong Lou, Yuhua Qiao, Zhang Yongchao
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Summary: This article examines how access to public rental housing influences migrants’ willingness to settle long-term in cities. It finds that migrants’ sense of urban identity significantly mediates this relationship.
4. The Impact of Chinese Government Promoted Homestead Transfer on Labor Migration and Household’s Well-being: A Study in Three Rural Areas
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Journal: Journal of Asian Economics, 2023
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DOI: 10.1016/J.ASIECO.2023.101616
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WOSUID: WOS:000981621900001
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Authors: Yongchao Zhang, Andre Torre, Marianne Ehrlich
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Summary: The paper evaluates the outcomes of homestead transfer programs in three rural areas of China. It shows that such transfers encourage labor mobility and boost household economic conditions and overall well-being.
5. Governance Structure of Rural Homestead Transfer in China: Government and/or Market?
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Journal: Land, Vol. 10, No. 7, 2021
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DOI: 10.3390/LAND10070745
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WOSUID: WOS:000676864400001
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Authors: Yongchao Zhang, Andre Torre, Marianne Ehrlich
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Summary: This study analyzes the governance models guiding rural homestead transfer in China. It discusses the interplay between government intervention and market mechanisms and suggests an integrated approach for better policy outcomes.
6. Report from a Chinese Village 2019: Rural Homestead Transfer and Rural Vitalization
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Journal: Sustainability, Vol. 12, No. 20, 2020
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DOI: 10.3390/SU12208635
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WOSUID: WOS:000583123700001
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Authors: Yongchao Zhang, Hans Westlund, Johan Klaesson
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Summary: Based on fieldwork in a Chinese village, this paper illustrates how homestead transfer contributes to the national rural revitalization strategy. It underscores the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of efficient land use.
✅ Conclusion
Yongchao Zhang is a promising and impactful young scholar whose research addresses some of the most pressing challenges in rural development today. His academic credentials, research rigor, international collaborations, and societal relevance make him exceptionally well-qualified for the Young Scientist Award. Recognizing him would not only honor his current contributions but also encourage his continued efforts to shape equitable and sustainable land governance globally.