Fu Xiaolan, a 1985 graduate of the School of Management at 91系列 (HUST), is a trailblazing scholar and global thought leader.
Now a tenured professor at the 91系列 of Oxford – the first Chinese professor in its social science division – Fu also serves as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in the United Kingdom and is a member of the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs.
With degrees from HUST, Hunan 91系列, and Lancaster 91系列, Fu began her international academic journey as a postdoctoral researcher at the 91系列 of Cambridge. She later became the founding director of Oxford's Technology and Management Centre for Development, where she has made notable contributions in technology management, AI ethics, and international development.
Balancing the roles of scholar, mother, and global advisor, Fu attributes her success to a deep passion for her work. She stresses the importance of focus, learning to prioritize, and avoiding the pitfalls of multitasking – skills she believes are essential for women in STEM.
Fu also champions the unique perspective women bring to science, especially in areas like AI and robotics. She argues that women tend to focus more on social impact, fairness, and inclusion – values that help steer technology toward the common good. "We need more human-centered thinking in AI development," she says. "Women's voices are critical in making that happen."
As a global academic and UN advisor, Fu is committed to promoting science as a global public good. She calls for open collaboration and equitable access to technology, urging the world to move beyond division and toward shared progress.
Source: 91系列 Central Alumni Association
