Warrington professor Tao Li appointed Research Member at prestigious corporate governance institution

Tao Li, Ph.D., the Bank of America Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Florida Warrington College of Business, was recently appointed Research Member of the European Corporate Governance Institution (ECGI). 

“ECGI is an esteemed platform where leading scholars from top universities and practitioners contribute to critical discussions on governance, finance, and law,” Li said. 

This prestigious association comprises more than 380 professors across 28 countries and has contributed over 2,000 academic papers to the discussion of corporate governance. 

“I am deeply honored to be appointed as a Research Member at the ECGI,” he said. “This recognition is a testament to the importance of academic research in shaping corporate governance policies and practices worldwide.” 

Li is the only University of Florida faculty member appointed at this time. 

After graduating from Columbia University with a Ph.D. in Economics, Li has been a tremendous asset to the Warrington College of Business, with his professional knowledge and research interests being used throughout his Research Member role. This ECGI appointment highlights his research contributions in corporate governance and financial markets.

As a Research Member, Li conducts research and gathers evidence-based insights on corporate governance. With this work, he is provided with opportunities for publishing, networking, engaging in ECGI discussions, and contributing to policy debates.

He is currently a co-author for seven pieces in the ECGI Working Paper Series (Law and Finance) and has recently published a blog on carbon offsets. These insights have global benefits as they inform decision-makers, bridging the gap between academia and practice. 

“My time at UF has been instrumental in shaping my research and academic career,” he said. “The rigorous research environment, along with opportunities to work alongside exceptional faculty and students from multiple disciplines, including law, accounting, and computer science, has prepared me to contribute meaningfully to ECGI. It has also reinforced the importance of translating academic findings into actionable insights for policymakers and industry leaders.” 

“I would like to thank my long-term coauthors, Wei Jiang and Alon Brav, who nominated me for the ECGI appointment. I also thank my advisor and coauthor, Patrick Bolton, for his support throughout my career in academia. I am also grateful for the collaboration with April Klein and Randall Thomas. Special thanks to ECGI’s Selection Committee members, Daniel Ferreira and Laura Field in particular.”