Gladys Wauk | Social Science | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Gladys Wauk | Social Science | Best Researcher Award

Gladys Wauk is a passionate educator, researcher, and consultant specializing in E-business, public management, and digital entrepreneurship. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Business Administration at the University of Electronics Science and Technology of China (UESTC), where she also serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Gladys combines academic rigor with practical experience, having worked extensively in teaching, research, consultancy, and entrepreneurship. She has contributed to multiple international publications and actively participated in various academic and community development projects. Her early teaching experiences at the University for Development Studies in Ghana, combined with her volunteer work and entrepreneurial ventures, demonstrate her versatility and commitment to fostering innovative learning environments. With strong analytical skills, cross-cultural communication abilities, and an extensive background in research, Gladys is committed to contributing meaningfully to the academic and creative development of students and institutions while promoting digital transformation and sustainable development in emerging economies.

Profile

🎓 Education

Gladys Wauk holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Electronics Science and Technology of China (UESTC), where she has been enrolled since 2020. Prior to this, she earned her Master of Management in Public Management (Public Economics) from UESTC in 2018. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Development Studies, majoring in Economics and Entrepreneurship Studies, from the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Ghana, in 2014. Throughout her academic journey, Gladys has focused on integrating economics, entrepreneurship, and technology, preparing her to address the challenges of modern digital business ecosystems. Her education blends theoretical knowledge with practical applications, enabling her to conduct interdisciplinary research that bridges management, economics, public policy, and digital transformation, particularly in developing countries. She has also engaged in field practical programs and collaborative projects, enhancing her skills in data collection, analysis, and applied research methodologies.

🧪 Experience

Gladys Wauk has amassed extensive teaching, research, and industry experience across multiple roles. She currently serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at UESTC, where she mentors undergraduates and supports academic administration. Previously, she was a Senior Teaching Assistant and Teaching Assistant at the University for Development Studies, Ghana, where she mentored students, prepared academic materials, and coordinated projects. Her research experience includes doctoral research at UESTC, research leadership at the Center for West Africa Studies, and data collection for IFPRI and Send Ghana. Additionally, Gladys has industry experience as an Administrative Support Officer and Academic Consultant, offering guidance on research projects, data collection, and scholarship applications. As an entrepreneur, she successfully managed Joy Tree Enterprise, developing consumer products and engaging in market research. These diverse experiences have equipped her with broad expertise in teaching, research, consultancy, entrepreneurship, and administrative coordination, making her a dynamic contributor to academic and professional settings.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Gladys Wauk has received multiple awards recognizing her academic excellence, leadership, and volunteer contributions. She earned Second Prize in the UESTC Academic Achievement Scholarship Award (2021-2022; 2017-2018) for her outstanding research performance. She was awarded First Prize for Excellent Performance at UESTC (2017-2018) for active participation in school activities, arts, sports, and voluntary work. In 2018, she was named Most Outstanding Volunteer for her contributions to the Forum on China’s Reform and Africa’s Development. Her leadership abilities were acknowledged through the Most Outstanding Student Leader Award at UESTC (2017-2018). She also won First Prize medals in the ISU UESTC Summer Sports Women’s Football and received recognition as Outstanding Loan Ambassador (2017). Her academic and extracurricular achievements reflect her strong commitment to excellence, leadership, and service in both academic and community spheres, further strengthening her profile as a well-rounded scholar and educator.

🔬 Research Focus

Gladys Wauk’s research focuses on digital business transformation, public procurement, financial inclusion, and sustainable development, particularly within the context of emerging economies like Ghana. Her work integrates multidisciplinary approaches, employing methods such as AHP, PLS-SEM, and fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making models. She has conducted extensive research on blockchain applications in public procurement, mobile money adoption, digital financial inclusion, and the socio-economic impacts of renewable energy adoption. Through collaborations at UESTC and the Center for West Africa Studies, Gladys has contributed to significant cross-cultural studies assessing international industrial cooperation between China and Africa. Her research addresses real-world challenges by providing data-driven insights into policy formulation, business innovation, and sustainable development strategies. She continues to explore how emerging technologies can address corruption, promote transparency, and foster inclusive growth in developing nations, contributing to global conversations on sustainable digital economies.

✅ Conclusion

Gladys Wauk is a dynamic educator, researcher, and entrepreneur whose multidisciplinary expertise in digital business transformation, public management, and sustainable development uniquely positions her to contribute to academic excellence, innovative research, and practical solutions addressing global economic challenges, particularly within emerging markets and cross-cultural collaborations between Africa and China.

Publications

  • Antecedents of Sustainable Usage Behaviors Through Mobile Payment Technology for Digital Financial Inclusion in Ghana

    Systems
    2025-06 | Journal article | Author
    DOI: 10.3390/systems13060456
    CONTRIBUTORS: GLADYS WAUK; Junwu Chai; Gideon Adjorlolo; EDEM KOFFI AMOUZOU; Belinda Bonney; Benedict N-yanyi

  • Evaluating Corruption-Prone Public Procurement Stages for Blockchain Integration Using AHP Approach

    Systems
    2025-04 | Journal article | Author
    DOI: 10.3390/systems13040267
    CONTRIBUTORS: Gideon Adjorlolo; Zhiwei Tang; GLADYS WAUK; Philip Adu Sarfo; Alhassan Baako Braimah; Richard Blankson Safo; Benedict N-yanyi

Marianne Rizk-Hildbrand | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Marianne Rizk-Hildbrand | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

She is completing her PhD at KJPP Zürich, focusing on youth suicide prevention through the AdoASSIP project. Her professional experience spans various roles within KJPP Zürich, including emergency care, inpatient therapy, diagnostics, family counseling, and research. Earlier, she worked in diverse sectors such as aviation, hospitality, and legal assistance, demonstrating adaptability and strong interpersonal skills. Alongside her clinical and research commitments, she has been active in volunteer work, serving as a translator for refugee projects. Her multilingual proficiency in German, English, French, and Egyptian Arabic allows her to connect effectively with diverse populations. She is recognized as an AdoASSIP instructor, supervisor, and therapist, reflecting her advanced therapeutic competencies. She embodies a rare combination of academic rigor, clinical expertise, and cross-cultural sensitivity, preparing her for a leading role in adolescent mental health care and research.

Profile

🎓 Education

Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (2014-2018) from the University of Zürich, supplemented by an exchange semester at Humboldt University, Berlin (2019). She then pursued a Master of Science in Psychology at the University of Zürich (2018-2021), successfully completed in HS2020. Additionally, she earned multiple certifications in AdoASSIP therapy, including supervisor and instructor credentials between 2022 and 2024. In December 2024, she attained the title of federally recognized psychotherapist (IPKJ). Currently, she is finalizing her PhD (expected 2025), focusing on youth suicidality. Her earlier studies include the Gymnasium at Kantonsschule Hottingen (2006–2010), Bachelor of Law studies (incomplete, 2011–2014), and primary education in Opfikon. This strong educational background provides her with a solid foundation in both psychological theory and clinical practice, which she continuously enriches with ongoing training and research involvement, particularly in adolescent mental health, suicidality, and peer influence dynamics.

🧪 Experience

Her clinical experience is extensive, primarily at KJPP Zürich since 2020. As a doctoral student (2021-2024) and psychologist on youth wards (2023-2024), she conducted diagnostics, therapy, psychodiagnostic testing, family consultations, and managed clinical documentation. She contributed significantly to research, including master’s student supervision and publishing scholarly articles. Earlier roles include psychologist at the emergency centre KANT (2021-2023), where she handled acute psychiatric assessments and crisis interventions. She previously held positions in other sectors such as aviation (Swissport), hospitality (Migros Fitnesspark), legal assistance (Wenger Plattner), and customer service (Jelmoli), which enriched her communication and organizational skills. Additionally, she volunteered as a translator for refugees, showcasing her humanitarian commitment. Her interdisciplinary and multicultural experience enables her to work effectively with diverse patient populations, while her research roles highlight her commitment to advancing evidence-based interventions for youth at risk of suicide.

🏅 Awards and Honors

While no formal awards are explicitly mentioned, her series of professional certifications reflect significant achievements in her field. She became a certified AdoASSIP therapist (2022), supervisor (2023), and instructor (2024), underlining her deep specialization in evidence-based suicide prevention methods for adolescents. Her admission to the federally recognized psychotherapy program (IPKJ) and successful completion in December 2024 further demonstrate her recognized competence in clinical psychotherapy. The selection to pursue a PhD focused on adolescent suicidality at KJPP Zürich itself indicates academic merit and research potential. In addition, her consistent involvement in both clinical practice and cutting-edge research within one of Switzerland’s leading psychiatric institutions highlights her professional excellence. Her voluntary contributions to refugee support services reflect an ongoing commitment to social responsibility and community engagement, qualities often acknowledged and respected in healthcare professionals and researchers alike.

🔬 Research Focus

Her research centers on adolescent suicidality, particularly within the AdoASSIP program, a specialized intervention for youth following suicide attempts. Her doctoral dissertation (to be defended in September 2025) investigates complex factors such as body shaming, violence, self-care, and the social contagion of suicidality among peers. This work contributes to a nuanced understanding of the psychosocial dynamics leading to youth suicide attempts. She is deeply involved in intervention research, combining clinical practice with empirical investigation, which allows her to test, refine, and implement effective therapeutic strategies. Her work also involves supervising master’s theses, publishing scientific papers, and contributing to ethical and methodological standards within clinical research. By integrating her practical experience with academic inquiry, she addresses pressing public health concerns and advances therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing youth suicidality. Her research holds significant potential to inform policy, clinical practice, and future studies in adolescent mental health.

✅ Conclusion

Through a combination of advanced clinical training, focused research on adolescent suicidality, and diverse professional experiences, she emerges as a highly competent psychologist and researcher poised to make impactful contributions to youth mental health care, suicide prevention, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions within multicultural contexts.

Publications

  • The Body as a Battleground: A Qualitative Study of the Impact of Violence, Body Shaming, and Self-Harm in Adolescents with a History of Suicide Attempts

    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    2025-05-30 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3390/ijerph22060859
    CONTRIBUTORS: Marianne Rizk-Hildbrand; Tara Semple; Martina Preisig; Isabelle Haeberling; Lukasz Smigielski; Dagmar Pauli; Susanne Walitza; Birgit Kleim; Gregor E. Berger

Fahri SEZER | Guidance and Psychological Counseling | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Fahri SEZER | Guidance and Psychological Counseling | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Fahri Sezer is a distinguished academic and researcher at Balıkesir University Necatibey Faculty of Education 🇹🇷, specializing in psychological counseling, music therapy 🎵, career guidance 🧭, developmental and educational psychology 🧠📚; his work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing student well-being 💪, self-esteem 🌱, coping strategies 🧩, and resilience; he is known for mentoring young scholars 🧑‍🏫 and leading interdisciplinary mental health research 🤝, with a strong publication record in both national and international platforms 🏅📖.

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Fahri Sezer holds advanced degrees in psychological counseling and developmental psychology 🎓🧠; his educational foundation includes robust training in educational sciences, guidance, and counseling 💡📚, providing him the expertise to design psycho-pedagogical models for enhancing emotional well-being and cognitive growth in diverse populations 🌍; his academic journey is marked by scholarly excellence, reflective inquiry, and continuous contribution to mental health education and teacher training programs 🎯🧑‍🏫.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Fahri Sezer serves as an Associate Professor at Balıkesir University’s Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling 🏛️; he has led and collaborated on numerous research projects exploring student well-being, family dynamics, and teacher competencies 🧠👨‍🏫; his career highlights include national-level research on social skills, divorce effects, conflict resolution, and child psychology 💔➡️❤️, along with authoring educational materials for classroom management, counseling, and developmental psychology 📘✍️; he also provides academic mentoring and scientific editing 🧾🔬.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Dr. Fahri Sezer has earned wide recognition for his contributions to educational psychology 🧠🎖️; his research on self-esteem, life satisfaction, and student resilience has been featured in peer-reviewed journals and global conferences 🌐📢; his book chapters and co-authored volumes demonstrate academic leadership 📘👑; Sezer is admired for his impactful national projects addressing teacher training, family therapy, and psychosocial support frameworks 🧑‍🏫💡; his role as editor, author, and mentor enriches Turkey’s academic landscape 🇹🇷💫.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Fahri Sezer’s research revolves around psychological counseling 🧠💬, music therapy 🎵🧠, career guidance 🧭, educational resilience, developmental psychology 👶➡️🧓, social skill interventions 🤝, and student mental health 💖; he investigates how attitudes, coping mechanisms, and counseling practices affect life satisfaction and emotional growth 🌈📈; his focus also includes designing educational materials, studying teacher awareness, and exploring psychosocial dimensions of divorce and child development 🧸⚖️; blending research with community service and academic collaboration 🤗🔍.

Publications 

Xiuwei Zhang | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

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 Dr. Xiuwei Zhang | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Xiuwei Zhang, PhD, is a researcher at Hefei University of Technology, specializing in traffic behavior and psychology. She holds a doctoral degree from Hefei University of Technology, where her work focuses on improving traffic safety through behavioral psychology methods. Zhang’s research addresses critical issues such as driver behavioral changes and children’s perception of street crossing hazards. She is deeply involved in advancing traffic safety by understanding how people interact with traffic environments, with an emphasis on psychological cognition. Zhang has also contributed significantly to the field through several published papers and patents, aiming to enhance both driver and pedestrian safety. With an established academic career and passion for traffic psychology, Zhang aims to provide actionable solutions to improve road safety globally.

Profile

Education 🎓

Xiuwei Zhang completed her undergraduate studies at Qingdao University of Science and Technology. She pursued her master’s and doctoral degrees at Hefei University of Technology, where she focused on traffic behavior and psychology. During her time at Hefei, Zhang developed a deep understanding of how psychological factors influence road safety, particularly in the context of driver behavior and children’s traffic hazard perception. Her academic training has allowed her to integrate cognitive psychology with transportation safety, paving the way for innovative solutions to reduce traffic-related accidents. Zhang’s educational background in this interdisciplinary field has made her a strong proponent of using behavioral psychology to improve urban traffic environments, with her research significantly contributing to traffic safety science.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Xiuwei Zhang has experience conducting impactful research on traffic psychology at Hefei University of Technology, where she has worked on driver behavior, risk perception, and children’s safety while crossing streets. She contributed to multiple key projects, such as the optimization of urban road intersections using intelligent detection and the evolution of driver’s risk perception in co-driving vehicles. Zhang participated in developing local and national standards, such as the “Evaluation Standard for Driver Takeover Ability of Autonomous Vehicles.” Her patents include solutions for assessing and preventing conflicts between human-vehicle interactions in signal intersections. Additionally, Zhang’s academic role extends to reviewing papers for Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behavior. She is an active participant in cutting-edge research projects, such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Anhui Province’s housing and urban development projects, focusing on making roads safer through innovative traffic designs and behavioral analysis.

Research Interests 🔬

Xiuwei Zhang’s research focuses on traffic behavior and psychology, with particular attention to driver behavior, children’s traffic safety, and cognitive biases in road environments. Her work aims to enhance the perception of road hazards, particularly among children, and to improve road safety through behavioral psychology techniques. One of her significant contributions is the study of children’s perception of street-crossing risks under visually occluded conditions, providing valuable insights into how environmental factors impact traffic behavior. Zhang’s research on driver behavior changes, particularly in co-driving scenarios with automated vehicles, seeks to develop better risk perception strategies to improve safety on the roads. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates traffic safety with cognitive science, making her work influential in both the practical and theoretical aspects of traffic safety. Zhang’s innovations also extend to the design of intelligent traffic systems and road intersections, contributing to the future of urban road safety in smart cities.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Xiuwei Zhang has received several prestigious awards and honors during her academic career, including the “Outstanding Graduate of the School Class of 2024” and multiple scholarships, such as the School Second Class Scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year. Her excellence as a volunteer was recognized when she was named the “Outstanding Red Cross Volunteer” of Qingdao West Coast New District in 2018. Zhang’s consistent academic achievements are highlighted by her scholarships across multiple years and her significant contributions as a member of the Auto Traffic College Institute Graduate Student Association. These accolades reflect her dedication to research, teaching, and community service. Zhang’s awards demonstrate her potential as a leader in traffic safety research and behavioral psychology, highlighting her academic excellence and contributions to improving road safety.

Publications 📚