Business PhD Spotlight: Qi An
PhD candidate Qi An’s academic pursuits began at Nanjing University, where she studied Russian Language and Literature. Deeply influenced by classic writers like Tolstoy and Chekhov, she developed a strong appreciation for the subtle interplay of human motives and societal forces. After earning her bachelor’s degree in 2013 and her master’s degree in 2016, she made a significant transition to the field of accounting, completing a second master’s degree at the State University of New York at Binghamton. In 2021, she entered the University of Alberta’s PhD program in accounting, bringing together her interdisciplinary background and curiosity about global business dynamics.
“Throughout my studies, I was fascinated with narrative complexities and the interplay of different disciplines in shaping perspectives. For example, in literature, authors use storytelling to convey deep societal messages, while in business, firms use financial disclosures to communicate their strategic directions.”
Having spent years in the humanities, she learned to analyze intricate human behaviours — such as how individuals adapt their decision-making in response to social norms or economic constraints — a skill she now applies to understanding the broader business landscape.
“I was actually motivated to become an academic researcher by my husband. He earned a PhD in economics, and his journey seemed intellectually rewarding and refreshingly open-ended,” states An.
This combination of literary insight and analytical rigor ultimately shaped her decision to pursue a life in academia.
In her dissertation, “Leave Russia or Not? Managerial Learning in the Russia-Ukraine War,” Qi examines how firms employ voluntary disclosures during times of geopolitical uncertainty. Specifically, she investigates how market reactions influence corporate decisions to either withdraw from or maintain operations in Russia. By bridging perspectives from literature, economics, and accounting, she aims to capture the multifaceted nature of strategic decision-making in volatile contexts. Her work offers an empirical lens on how real-world events intersect with managerial choices and market feedback mechanisms.
Qi An chose the University of Alberta for its proven track record of rigorous scholarship and a research environment that nurtures innovative thinking. Equally important was the supportive culture within the Accounting Department, which offers ample research funding and encourages close collaboration among students and faculty. The friendly atmosphere makes it feel like an extended family—one that celebrates curiosity and fosters growth. At the center of this positive experience is her supervisor, Dr. Ke Wang. His steadfast mentorship—challenging her assumptions and refining her methodology—has greatly sharpened her analytical perspective. In such a collegial setting, Qi finds both the resources and the camaraderie essential for her doctoral journey.
Qi An joined the Alberta School of Business in 2021 as a PhD candidate in Accounting, under the supervision of associate professor Ke Wang.