Dr. Julian Riano | Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer, University of Brighton, United Kingdom

Julian D. Riano is a dynamic academic and facilitator with a global perspective in business education 🌍. He holds a Doctorate in Strategy, Organisations, and Society from Newcastle University (UK), and brings a wealth of international experience from the US, Colombia, and the UK. Fluent in both English and Spanish , Dr. Riano is passionate about innovative, entrepreneurship-focused teaching that prepares students to tackle real-world business challenges. His approach emphasizes experiential and challenge-based learning, fostering practical skills and strategic thinking among learners 📈.

Publication Profile

ORCID

🎓 Education Background

Dr. Riano’s academic journey is both diverse and impressive. He recently pursued a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice at the University of Brighton (2023–2024) 🎓. He earned his Doctorate from Newcastle University (2017–2021), preceded by an MBA in IT Management from Southern New Hampshire University, USA (2012–2014) 💼. His foundational studies include a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Finance from Western Connecticut State University (2004–2008) and an Associate Degree in Computer Information Systems Technology from Naugatuck Valley Community College (2001–2004) 💻. He also obtained the CELTA certificate from the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) 🎖️.

💼 Professional Experience

Dr. Riano is currently a Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the University of Brighton’s School of Business and Law (since March 2022) 📚. He also serves as a Visiting Business Lecturer at Newcastle University Business School – London (since 2019) and continues to contribute as an Academic Researcher there (since 2017). Since 2017, he has also held a Visiting Lecturer role at the University of Brighton International College. His consistent academic contributions have enriched numerous business modules including strategy, organizational behaviour, entrepreneurship, and IT management across undergraduate and postgraduate levels 🏫.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Julian D. Riano holds the Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) awarded by Advance HE in 2019 🎓. He is also CELTA certified, showcasing his commitment to effective pedagogy and inclusive, high-quality teaching in English as a second language 🌐. These recognitions reinforce his teaching excellence and dedication to student-centred learning.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Riano’s research primarily explores social capital, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and strategic management, especially within SMEs in the UK and emerging economies 🌱. His work sheds light on how value is created beyond traditional economic measures—focusing instead on social impact and organizational innovation. His interest in challenge-based learning also drives his pedagogical research, aligning with entrepreneurship and business education practices 🔍.

📝 Conclusion

In summary, Julian D. Riano is a globally engaged academic leader blending pedagogical innovation, strategic research, and multicultural teaching experiences 🌎. His interdisciplinary expertise and passion for impactful education make him a strong advocate for student empowerment and entrepreneurial thinking across the globe 🚀.

📚 Top Publications

Challenge-based learning: A ‘entrepreneurship-oriented’ teaching experience (2020)
Journal: Management in Education | 📑 Cited by: 3 articles

Challenge-Based Learning: A ‘Entrepreneurship-Oriented’ Teaching Experience (2020)
Conference: British Academy of Management – BAM 2020 | 📑 Cited by: 2 articles

Social Capital, The Lesser-Known Victim of Crime in Bogota – Colombia (2020)
Conference: British Academy of Management – BAM 2020 | 📑 Cited by: 1 article

Value Creation Beyond Economic Frontiers Via Social Capital Benefits: Evidence of SMEs in The UK Construction Industry (2020)
Conference: British Academy of Management – BAM 2020 | 📑 Cited by: 2 articles

Social capital benefits and value creation toward sustainability: evidence of SMEs in the UK construction industry (2020)
Conference: European Group of Organizational Studies – EGOS 2020 | 📑 Cited by: 2 articles

Prof. Dr. Chenyu Wu | Energy Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Hohai University, China

Prof. Dr. Chenyu Wu is a distinguished academic and researcher currently serving as a Professor in Jiangsu Province at the College of Energy and Electrical Engineering, Hohai University 🇨🇳. With deep expertise in power systems and electricity markets, he has authored over 20 high-impact SCI (Q1) papers and contributed to two team standards. Prof. Wu has led numerous key national and industrial projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation and the State Grid Corporation of China. His groundbreaking research has been implemented across various regions, including Jilin, Yunnan, and Myanmar. Recognized for both academic and applied excellence, he has received top-tier honors such as the First Prize of Jiangsu Province Science and Technology Award and the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow title 🏆.

🎓Education Background:

Prof. Wu earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Southeast University (2015–2019) 🎓, following a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Hohai University (2011–2015) 📘. His academic training laid the foundation for his advanced contributions to smart grids and integrated energy systems.

💼Professional Experience:

Prof. Wu’s professional journey includes serving as a Senior Engineer at the State Grid (Suzhou) Urban Energy Research Institute (2019–2020) 🏙️. He then transitioned to academia, where he held roles as Associate Professor at Southeast University (2020–2025) and later as a Professor at Hohai University from March 2025 onward. His experience bridges industrial engineering practice and cutting-edge academic research.

🏅Awards and Honors:

Prof. Wu’s excellence has been widely recognized. Notable accolades include the First Prize in Science and Technology of Jiangsu Province (2022) 🥇, the Bronze Award in the China Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (2022) 🥉, and the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award by the China Simulation Society (2020) 📜. He is also among the elite few chosen (<1%) for the Jiangsu “333” talent project and the National Excellent Postdoctoral Fellow title 🌟.

🔬Research Focus:

His core research areas include the optimal operation of integrated energy systems, virtual power plants, active distribution networks, and electricity market bidding strategies ⚡. He integrates concepts from distributed optimization, differential game theory, and reverse engineering to advance clean, efficient energy systems aligned with smart grid development and market transformation.

✅Conclusion:

Prof. Dr. Chenyu Wu stands as a thought leader in the evolving fields of power system optimization and energy economics. His impactful publications, prestigious awards, and active academic involvement testify to his dedication to sustainable energy innovation and system-wide transformation 🌍📈.