The University of Portsmouth has added a major achievement to its research record. Professor Jia Liu, a Professor of Accounting and Finance in the Faculty of Business and Law, has been elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) — one of the most respected honours available to social scientists working in the United Kingdom. She joins a cohort of 74 newly appointed Fellows recognised for their outstanding contributions to social science research and its practical application to the major challenges facing society.
For prospective students, early-career researchers, and professionals who monitor Portsmouth University news, this announcement is more than a congratulatory headline. It offers a clear example of how rigorous research in accounting and finance can shape corporate behaviour, inform public policy, and influence financial systems well beyond the classroom. It also demonstrates the growing strength of UK social sciences at institutions across the country.
Understanding the Academy of Social Sciences and Its Fellowship
The Academy of Social Sciences is the national academy representing the social science community in the United Kingdom. Its Fellowship comprises approximately 1,750 leading social scientists drawn from academia, the public sector, business, and the third sector. Fellows are elected through an independent peer-review process that assesses both their excellence in their field and the substantial contributions their work has made to public benefit.
The latest cohort reflects the breadth of the discipline. New Fellows come from 36 UK universities as well as think tanks, research institutes, and public research funding bodies, with additional members joining from Canada, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and New Zealand. Their expertise spans the full range of UK social sciences, and their research helps governments, businesses, and communities understand and respond to complex social, economic, and environmental problems.
Will Hutton, President of the Academy of Social Sciences, described the incoming Fellows as “some of the most influential voices in social science today,” noting that their work is expanding knowledge, challenging assumptions, and informing decision-making across government, business, education, and civil society. Election to the Academy is therefore not simply a personal accolade — it is a signal that a researcher’s work carries genuine weight in national and international debates.
Meet Jia Liu: A Portsmouth Professor Shaping Global Finance Research
Professor Jia Liu joined the University of Portsmouth in 2020 and serves as Director of the Centre for Innovative and Sustainable Finance (CISF), a research group dedicated to helping governments, organisations, and individuals adapt to a rapidly evolving financial landscape. Alongside her role at Portsmouth, she holds visiting and adjunct professorships at several institutions internationally, reflecting the global reach of her work.
Her advisory portfolio is equally international. Professor Liu has advised on major projects for governmental and industry bodies, including EU-China collaborative initiatives, Chinese government programmes, and the UK’s Co-operative Bank. This blend of academic rigour and real-world engagement is a defining feature of her career.
Her publication record underpins the recognition. She has authored more than 80 papers, including 16 in FT50 and ABS-4 rated journals such as the Journal of Corporate Finance, the Journal of Business Ethics, and the British Journal of Management. She has also co-authored two monographs covering corporate governance, sustainability, and digital business. Working with international partners, she has secured research funding from UK and overseas research councils as well as Fortune Global 500 companies, supporting projects that range from blue carbon restoration and FinTech to energy pricing, climate risk, and governance.
For readers following the work of this Portsmouth Professor, the common thread is clear: her research consistently asks how financial systems affect institutions, markets, and society — and how better-designed rules and greater transparency can produce fairer outcomes.
Research That Connects Corporate Behaviour to Societal Outcomes
What distinguishes Professor Liu’s research is its ability to translate seemingly technical finance questions into findings with direct social relevance. Three strands of her recent work illustrate this approach.
Workplace Equality Laws and Boardroom Diversity
Professor Liu and her co-authors found that US laws protecting LGBTQIA+ workers have led to more women being appointed to company boards. This surprising spillover effect suggests that anti-discrimination legislation can reshape corporate culture in ways that extend beyond the groups it directly protects — evidence with clear implications for policymakers pursuing workplace equality.
Political Connections and Investor Confidence
In research on Chinese listed companies, she showed that when company directors hold strong political connections, investors value the company’s cash more highly. The finding tests long-standing theories about political power and corporate value, offering investors and regulators a clearer picture of how political ties influence market behaviour.
Tax Honesty and the Cost of Capital
Perhaps most striking for business leaders: her research found that global companies that are open about paying their taxes raise money from investors more cheaply, while firms perceived as dodging tax end up paying more. In other words, integrity is not only an ethical position — it has a measurable price in the market. Companies that treat transparency as a strategic priority can reduce their cost of capital, while those that obscure their tax affairs face a financial penalty.
Together, these studies show how accounting and finance research can address what Professor Liu describes as “the major challenges confronting society, from environmental sustainability and corporate accountability to social inequality and financial inclusion.”
A Career Marked by Recognition and Professional Leadership
The Academy fellowship is the latest in a series of honours. In 2025 alone, Professor Liu was elected a Fellow of the British Academy of Management and received a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to UK academic accounting and finance. Her work has also earned Best Paper awards from the European Journal of Management, the British Academy of Management, the Southwestern Finance Association, and the Eurasian Business and Economics Society.
Her leadership extends well beyond her own publications. She is an elected Council member of the British Academy of Management, where she is responsible for research and publication strategy and policy, and she holds leadership roles within the British Accounting and Finance Association, including serving as founding chair of its Corporate Finance and Asset Pricing Special Interest Group.
Reflecting on the Academy’s decision, Professor Liu said she was honoured by the recognition and that it “inspires me to continue to work towards a more just, inclusive and sustainable global future, and to strengthen the connections between research, policy and practice.”
What the Fellowship Means for Portsmouth and UK Social Sciences
For the University of Portsmouth, the election strengthens the reputation of the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance and the wider Faculty of Business and Law. It signals to prospective students and research partners that the institution attracts scholars whose work is judged excellent by independent peer review at a national level.
For the broader social science community, it reinforces an important point: the UK social sciences ecosystem thrives when excellence is recognised across many institutions, not only a handful. The Academy’s cohort — drawn from 36 universities and numerous research organisations — shows how widely impactful research is now distributed, and how collaboration across borders and sectors has become central to addressing shared challenges.
Practical Lessons for Aspiring Social Scientists
Professor Liu’s career offers a useful blueprint for students and early-career researchers who want their work to matter. Several lessons stand out:
- Pursue questions with societal stakes. The most cited and most celebrated social science research addresses problems that affect real people — workplace fairness, market trust, environmental sustainability, and financial inclusion. Start with the problem, not the dataset.
- Build international collaborations early. Much of Professor Liu’s impact comes from partnerships spanning the UK, Europe, and Asia. Cross-border collaboration broadens data access, sharpens perspectives, and opens funding channels from research councils and industry alike.
- Publish strategically. Targeting respected, rigorously peer-reviewed journals builds credibility that compounds over time. Quality and consistency matter more than volume.
- Engage with policy and industry. Advisory work for governments, regulators, and companies ensures research findings reach decision-makers — and often generates new research questions in return.
- Contribute to professional communities. Leadership roles in learned societies, special interest groups, and editorial work strengthen both individual careers and the discipline as a whole.
If you are considering postgraduate study or a research career in accounting, economics, or finance, exploring the research centres and supervision expertise at universities such as Portsmouth is a practical first step. Discover whether a taught master’s or a PhD aligns with your goals by reviewing programme pages and contacting admissions teams directly — many are happy to discuss how your interests match current research activity.
Monitor Portsmouth University News and Take the Next Step
Announcements like this one are worth following if you are evaluating where to study or whom to partner with. To monitor Portsmouth University news regularly, bookmark the university’s news hub, follow the Centre for Innovative and Sustainable Finance for updates on its research into FinTech, climate risk, and sustainable finance, and explore the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance to see how teaching and research connect.
Professor Jia Liu’s election as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences is a milestone for her, for the University of Portsmouth, and for UK social sciences more broadly. It demonstrates that careful, socially engaged research in accounting and finance can influence markets, shape legislation, and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive economy.
Have questions about studying accounting, economics, or finance at Portsmouth? Write to the university’s admissions team or explore their programme pages today. And if this story resonates with you, share your thoughts in the comments below — or pass it along to a colleague or student who is weighing their next academic move.
