Research student insight
Fang Zhang
- Department: Economics
- First supervisor: Professor John Hudson
- Second supervisor: Dr Bruce Morley
- Research project: Modelling the Housing Market in China
Fang previously undertook a BSc in Beijing Jiaotong University in China and then chose to study the MSc Economics & Finance within the Department of Economics at the University of Bath in 2008.
“As part of my dissertation for my master’s, I decided to write about the housing market in China. This was a topic I was particularly interested in exploring further, so I extended this to form the basis of my PhD.”
Fang then commenced her research degree in the Department of Economics in April 2010.
Investigating the Chinese housing market
The housing market in China has grown greatly over the last three decades. Even during the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the 2007 global financial crisis, most countries’ housing markets have been through a rough time; however, China’s housing market has continued to keep booming.
“I become very interested in understanding how and why China’s housing market can grow so rapidly, while others have suffered so heavily.”
One of the biggest challenges she has faced with this research has been the lack of literature on the Chinese housing market.
“Since China’s housing market is not fully market-oriented and has many typical Chinese features, most foreign researchers have no relevant background knowledge to study the housing market in China. I conduct much of my work originally and discover some methodologies which have not been used for Chinese housing market before.”
Fang has just finished writing two empirical chapters as part of her research. The first concerns the determinants of the Chinese housing market, which studies the factors impacting Chinese house prices; while the other is about the convergence and ripple effects of regional house prices in China.
“Ripple effects are when a price change in one location, such as Beijing for example, ‘ripples’ out to affect the prices in the rest of the country.”
She is also working on her third empirical chapter, which will be about the relationship between the housing market and happiness/subjective well-being in China.
“As far as I am aware, the first time this has been studied anywhere.”
Once complete, Fang’s research will enable a greater understanding of the development of the Chinese housing market (a critical aspect, as housing maintains an important impact on the economy and individuals).
Researching on-campus
During her time at the University, Fang has met regularly with her supervisors to discuss her research and receive guidance. She has also participated in the departmental PhD workshops and after-dinner sessions for staff and research students.
“These sessions are a great opportunity for me to communicate with other academic staff and students.”
To support her research and student life she also became a Resident Tutor for the University, where she provided support for all residents based on-campus.
“This was a great way to improve on my social and networking skills, while also enabling me to develop strategies for defusing difficult situations.”
The University of Bath experience
Fang has really enjoyed her studying experience at the University of Bath.
“The University has a beautiful garden like campus, with a great library and IT resources with plenty of quiet spaces to study. The Sports Training Village is one of the best I have visited.”
Fang hopes to complete her PhD in the next six months, and will then be looking for ways to apply her research to the workplace.
Further information
To find out more about Fang’s research, you can contact her by email: f.zhang@bath.ac.uk
