PhD student at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Sijia Dai is a highly motivated and accomplished early-career researcher specializing in corporate finance, environmental policy, and ESG analytics. With a strong academic foundation and diverse international exposure, she integrates theoretical rigor with applied relevance, particularly in understanding corporate responses to environmental regulation and sustainability challenges. Her growing publication record in ABS-ranked journals and active participation in collaborative projects demonstrate both depth and breadth in research. She combines technical proficiency in empirical methodologies with leadership in academic settings, having contributed to policy-oriented research and academic teaching. Her cross-cultural experiences and multilingual capabilities further position her as a promising global researcher capable of contributing to high-impact interdisciplinary initiatives.
Professional Profile
Scopus Profile | ORCID Profile
Education
Sijia Dai holds a Ph.D. in progress at Trinity College Dublin, focusing on environmental finance and governance. She earned a Master of Taxation from Xiamen National Accounting Institute, ranking second in her class, and a Bachelor of Accounting from North Minzu University, where she graduated first in her cohort. Throughout her academic journey, she has consistently demonstrated excellence in both coursework and research. Her theses have addressed critical issues such as the environmental protection tax’s effect on ESG performance and internal control disclosures in public firms. She has taken rigorous courses in financial management, accounting, taxation, auditing, economics, and international tax law. Her education combines strong technical training with policy-oriented insight, preparing her for complex empirical research in both academic and policy settings. This solid foundation underpins her contributions to international academic debates on sustainable finance and corporate governance.
Experience
Sijia Dai’s experience spans academic research, teaching assistance, and participation in policy-driven projects. At Trinity Business School, she contributed to the development and delivery of a financial management module, supporting students through consultations and assessments. Prior to that, she was deeply involved in multiple government-sponsored research projects in China, focusing on regional tax systems, fiscal reforms, and local government debt management. Her work often involved drafting policy suggestions and conducting data-driven analyses. She has also participated in international programs, such as the Belt and Road Initiative seminar and exchange visits in South Korea. These experiences reflect her ability to navigate both academic and real-world financial environments, contributing meaningfully to collaborative, high-impact research. Her involvement in class management and interpretation roles during international conferences further highlights her leadership, organization, and communication skills, vital for successful interdisciplinary and cross-border research engagements.
Research Interest
Sijia Dai’s research interests lie at the intersection of corporate finance, environmental economics, governance, and sustainability. She is particularly interested in how companies adapt to environmental policy shocks, and how such responses influence corporate ESG performance, financial outcomes, and strategic decision-making. Her ongoing doctoral work explores these themes through multidimensional empirical analyses. Additional areas of focus include the impact of taxation and regulatory interventions on firm behavior, the role of socio-cultural factors in economic development, and comparative studies of emissions trading systems. She also engages in evaluating public policy tools, like green bonds and environmental taxes, and their effectiveness in shaping corporate outcomes. Her work is notable for applying advanced research methodologies, including econometric modeling and data analytics, to uncover causal relationships and policy insights. Through this, she aims to contribute to academic knowledge and support sustainable development policy with evidence-based recommendations.
Awards and Honors
Sijia Dai has received several prestigious honors that reflect her academic excellence and competitive edge. Notable achievements include the China National Scholarship awarded twice, recognizing her consistent top-tier performance in higher education. She also received the Bank of China Scholarship twice and multiple prizes in national English competitions, showcasing both her academic breadth and language proficiency. At the postgraduate level, she earned the third prize in the “Credit Cup” Case Competition at Xiamen National Accounting Institute, further demonstrating her problem-solving and analytical skills. Her academic ranking—first in her undergraduate class and second in her master’s program—attests to her dedication and intellectual rigor. These accolades highlight her ability to excel in both research and communication, building a well-rounded profile that supports her future as a leading scholar in finance and environmental policy. The recognition she has received enhances her credibility in both academic and professional circles.
Research Skills
Sijia Dai possesses a robust set of research skills, including quantitative data analysis, empirical modeling, and policy evaluation. She is proficient in STATA, Python, and Microsoft Office tools, enabling her to handle large datasets and conduct rigorous econometric analysis. Her research often employs panel data models, causal inference techniques, and financial performance metrics to assess the effects of environmental policy on firm behavior. She is experienced in drafting academic papers, policy briefs, and project reports, and has successfully published in peer-reviewed ABS-ranked journals. Additionally, her skills extend to interpreting qualitative data, conducting literature reviews, and developing conceptual frameworks. She has also presented her research at international conferences, showing competency in communicating complex findings to diverse audiences. These capabilities are complemented by her bilingual fluency in Mandarin and English, making her a versatile researcher equipped for both domestic and global collaborations in finance, governance, and sustainable development.
Publication Top Notes
Title: CEO’s Culture and Firms’ Leverage Decisions
Authors: Sijia Dai
Year: 2025
Title: Towards a Better Understanding of Climate Disasters and Biodiversity Risk
Authors: Sijia Dai
Year: 2024
Title: Environmental Protection Tax on Enterprise Environmental, Social and Governance Performance: A Multi-Perspective Analysis Based on Financing Constraints
Authors: Ailan Liu, Sijia Dai, Zhixuan Wang
Year: 2023
Conclusion
Sijia Dai is a highly promising and impactful early-career researcher, with a rare blend of academic excellence, policy relevance, international exposure, and a strong publication track record. Her research addresses some of the most pressing global issues—environmental governance, sustainable finance, and corporate accountability—making significant contributions both academically and societally. With her interdisciplinary approach, technical skillset, and demonstrated commitment to scholarly rigor, she is a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her trajectory suggests she is poised to become a thought leader in sustainable finance and ESG research, with substantial future potential for academic leadership and policy impact.
