Key Qualifications

PhD in Sociology (Cambridge); MPhil (Cambridge); MA (Tsinghua); FHEA

Core Research Question I am Concerned with:

How cultural systems, technological innovations, and business practices intersect to shape contemporary social and economic life.

Theoretical Resources I Draw On:

cultural sociology; economic sociology; the political economy of culture and technology; innovation studies; social theory

Empirical Fields I Examine:

The cultural and creative industries, especially the book industry

AI and digital innovation

I'm also having a growing interest in the automotive (especially EV) industry

Selected Publications:

Cultural Mavericks | Columbia University Press

Sociological perspectives on artificial intelligence: A typological reading - Liu - 2021 - Sociology Compass - Wiley Online Library

Current projects:

1. The social structures of China’s AI industry (funded by British Academy and Sino-British Fellowship Trust)
2. How cultural norms, processes and practices shape AI innovation practices and outcomes
3. AI’s ‘real impact’ on book publishing

Things I Currently Teach and Have Previously Taught on:

Digital transformation; business model and innovation thereof; the social study of AI; cultural sociology; media and culture; qualitative research methods

PhD Supervision Areas:

Digital transformation; digital innovation; business model innovation; the social study of AI; the cultural and creative industries.

Prospective PhD students – please include CV and research proposal in your first enquiry email.

Important Affiliations:

Cambridge Digital Humanities; Bristol Digital Futures Institute; Jesus College Cambridge; Sociological Association Theory Study Group (co-convenor)