Zhejiang University: New dean appointed for School of Economics

Prof. ZHANG Junsen, who joined Zhejiang University in 2020 as a Distinguished University Professor, has been appointed as the new Dean of the School of Economics.



Prof. Zhang took up the role in March 2021, succeeding Prof. HUANG Xianhai, who has helmed the School for the past five years and assumed the position as Vice President of Zhejiang University from October 2020.



“I’m deeply honored to come back to my Alma Mater. School of Economics is an energetic and inspiring environment for both our staff and students. I look forward to contributing in my new role as dean of this wonderful school,” said Prof. Zhang.



“I’m very pleased to welcome Prof. Zhang, an experienced and well-regarded academic and administrator, to lead our School of Economics,” said Vice President HUANG Xianhai. “We look forward to working with him to achieve the ambitions of the School.”

Professor Zhang received a B.Sc. from Zhejiang University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from McMaster University. Prior to joining Zhejiang University, he worked at Chinese University of Hong Kong as the Wei Lun Professor of Economics.

His research focuses on the economics of family behavior, including fertility, marriage, education, intergenerational transfers, marital transfers, gender bias, and old-age support. He also works on family-related macro issues. Prof. Zhang has published over 100 papers in major refereed international journals. He was Editor of the Journal of Population Economics from 2001 to 2020 and has been Co-Editor of Journal of Human Resources since February 2019. He served as the President of the Hong Kong Economic Association from 2007 to 2011. In 2013, he was elected as a Fellow of the Econometric Society.