I have a BS in Earth Sciences and a PhD in Resource and Environmental Economics. I have more than 25 years of experience doing research and teaching and advising students in systems thinking, scenario development, simulation, and ecological economics. Presently, I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Computational & Data Sciences at George Mason University, and a member of the Center for Social Complexity. I teach the introductory courses on Computational Social Sciences at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as beginning and advanced courses in complex systems, modeling, and simulation. My current research focuses on the use of scenario development and integrated modeling as applied to social-ecological systems. My recent work has focused on applying these to issues related to climate change economics and policy, including new technologies for greenhouse gas removal and solar radiation management.

Lu Ping is a dedicated researcher in interdisciplinary fields including artificial intelligence (AI), digital economy, technological innovation, and industrial economics. Currently serving as an Associate Research Fellow at the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), Lu Ping focuses on examining the impacts of digital technologies (e.g., AI, big data, and IoT) on economic growth, industrial ecosystems, policy formulation, and societal ethics through multidimensional data modeling and empirical research.
Representative Academic Contributions:
1. AI Development and Societal Implications
A Brief History of Artificial Intelligence Development in China (2017): Explored the technological evolution and policy-driven pathways of China’s AI industry.
Ethical Dilemmas Faced by AI Algorithms (2018): Analyzed ethical challenges such as algorithmic bias and data privacy, proposing governance frameworks.
A Brief History of the Evolution of Smart Hardware in China (2018): Systematically reviewed the technological iterations and market dynamics of China’s smart hardware sector.
2.Technological Innovation and Industrial Economics
An Empirical Analysis of Technological Innovation Driving Growth in Internet Companies: Evidence from A-Share Listed Internet Firms in Shanghai and Shenzhen (2019).
Research on Competitiveness Measurement of Frontier Emerging Industries Based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Models (2019).
3.Digital Economy and Market Behavior
Correlation Analysis of Crowdfunding Behavior and Funding Performance for Internet Products: A Bayesian Approach Based on JD.com Crowdfunding Data (2018): Uncovered nonlinear relationships between user participation and project success rates using crowdfunding platform data.
Analyzing the Effects of Developer and User Behavior on Mobile App Downloads (2019): Built predictive models for app market performance based on user behavior data.
4.Policy Simulation
General Equilibrium Analysis of Beijing’s Water Supply and Consumption Policies: A Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) Model-Based Approach (2015).
Impact Analysis of EU Food Safety Standards on China’s Food Industry: A Dynamic Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) Model-Based Study (2015).
Academic Contributions:
Pioneered interdisciplinary paradigms in industrial economics research by integrating perspectives from econometrics, data science, and sociology. Published high-impact research in AI ethics, digital economy policies, and resource-environmental economics, providing decision-making references for academia and policymakers.

I am an environmental economist at UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Leipzig, Germany. I did my PhD (Dr. rer. pol.) in environmental economics at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg in 2017. Before that, I received my master’s (2013; economics) and bachelor’s degrees (2010; cultural studies) from the same university.

I am currently enrolled as a graduate student at UC3M, working towards a MS degree in Computational and Applied Mathematics. Upon completing my current program, my intention is to further my education in Applied Economics, with a specific focus on the intersection of Climate and Development Economics.

My research pursuits center around investigating the impacts of climate change on developing nations. Additionally, I am interested in studying the repercussions of fast fashion consumption, examining its effects on working conditions, the environment, and the overall well-being of individuals in the countries where these garments are manufactured. In my ongoing master’s thesis, I employ Agent-Based Modeling to simulate the attitudes of individual consumers towards fast fashion. The model captures behavioral shifts influenced by peers, social media, and governmental factors. This research aligns with my broader interests in comprehending public perspectives on global matters, underscoring the crucial influence of individual attitudes in confronting and finding solutions to these challenges.