Profile
Dr Tao Zhang is an interdisciplinary academic working at the interface of business management and energy engineering. His research focuses on technology, innovation and sustainability issues in energy-related contexts. He combines empirical approaches with computational simulation (especially agent-based modelling) to examine technology users’ behaviour, technological change, and innovation management. This includes research on adoption of innovative energy technologies, sustainable transportation, corporate social responsibility, firms’ pro-environmental behaviour, and the role of national and international climate policies in promoting innovative energy technologies.
Dr Zhang’s work has received external recognition, including the British Academy of Management 2020 Best Developmental Paper Award, and the EPSRC Enterprise Fellowship Award (2010) for an office-building energy management simulation model. He also contributed to the Qatari Government Climate Change Report (2012) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Alongside research, Dr Zhang contributes to academic leadership and service, including editorial responsibilities and international engagement work.
Academic Background
Dr Tao Zhang’s academic career spans business and engineering-facing environments across the UK. He is currently Reader in Digital Technologies and Innovation at Loughborough University London and an Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of Birmingham. Before these appointments, he served at Loughborough University London as Senior Lecturer in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (from September 2018) and was promoted to Reader in August 2022; during this period he also undertook leadership responsibilities including MSc Chief Programme Director. Earlier in his career, he was Lecturer in Marketing and Sustainability at Birmingham Business School, the University of Birmingham (2012–2018), following a research-focused appointment as Research Fellow at the School of Computer Science, the University of Nottingham (2009–2012) with responsibilities in intelligent agent design and simulation model development.
Dr Zhang earned a PhD in Management Studies from Judge Business School, the University of Cambridge. He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PCAP).
In addition to his appointments, Dr Zhang maintains active academic affiliations and service roles, including association with the ESRC Energy Policy Research Group (EPRG) and professional memberships spanning marketing science, operational research, and social simulation communities.
Research
Dr Zhang conducts interdisciplinary research on technological change and sustainability transitions in energy-related contexts. His work is underpinned by both empirical and computational simulation methods, with a particular focus on agent-based modelling to understand diffusion dynamics, user learning, and system-level outcomes.
Research areas (selected)
- Technology diffusion and adoption of innovative energy technologies (including smart metering and electric mobility).
- Corporate sustainability: corporate social responsibility, firms’ pro-environmental behaviour, and carbon risk in financing.
- Policy and the environment: national/international climate and environmental policies, including the innovation effects of environmental subsidies.
- Applications in energy and transport systems (e.g., office building energy management; transport and emissions topics).
Research grants and awards (selected)
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Grant No. 72091313, “A Study of Digital Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship Model” (Co-I; Jan 2021–Dec 2025).
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Grant No. 72072156, “The Impact of Benefit Distribution and Knowledge Sharing on Industrial Innovation Alliance Stability Based on Evolutionary Game” (Co-I; Jan 2021–Dec 2024).
- Aston Villa Football Club Marketing Research Grant (PI; Aug–Nov 2017).
- Nottingham–Tsinghua Collaborative Energy Research Grant and Nottingham Visiting Scholar Grant (PI; Feb–Aug 2011).
- EPSRC Enterprise Fellowship Award (2010).
- Economic and Social Research Council PhD Studentship Award (Oct 2006–Dec 2009).
PhD supervision (completed)
- Misha Xu, University of Birmingham — PhD awarded July 2019;
- Yingying Qian, University of Birmingham — PhD awarded July 2021;
- Yao Li, Hunan University / Loughborough University London — PhD awarded March 2022;
- Fei Tang, Central South University / Loughborough University London Campus) — PhD awarded July 2023;
- Davina Zhang, Loughborough University London — PhD awarded July 2024;
- Karima Bihaki, Loughborough University London — PhD awarded July 2024;
- Fei Huang, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics / Loughborough University London — PhD awarded July 2024;
- Andi Widianto, Loughborough University London Campus — PhD awarded December 2024;
- Hao Wu, Loughborough University London — PhD awarded December 2025.
- Chengcheng Liu, Jilin University / Loughborough University London — PhD awarded December 2025.
Enterprise and Outreach Activity
Industry engagement and partnerships
- External adviser to Haydale Limited.
- Industry-funded research project (PI) with Aston Villa Football Club (Marketing Research Grant, 2017).
Policy and societal impact
- Contributor to the Qatari Government’s Climate Change Report (2012) under the UNFCCC.
Academic leadership and service
- Reviewing Editor, Asian Business & Management; ad hoc reviewer for journals across innovation, sustainability and energy.
- Global Engagement Lead, Loughborough University London; former MSc Chief Programme Director.
- Conference/workshop organisation and invited talks, including stakeholder workshops and energy-policy research events.