Dr Tao Lei, Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies, has been honoured with the prestigious William E. Mosher and Frederick C. Mosher Award for his exceptional contribution to the field. The award recognises his co-authored article entitled ‘Advancing the Frontiers of Genomic Public Administration: From Genetics to Administrative Attitudes, Behaviors, and Practices’.  

The article was selected as the best academic article of 2023 in Public Administration Review, a top 5%-ranked journal in its field. This research proposes a new research sub-field, Genomic Public Administration, with the aim of bridging behavioural genetics and public administration research. It also introduces an integrated research framework that encourages scholars to investigate the joint effects of genetic and environmental factors in shaping administrative behaviours. This ground-breaking work is expected to help academics and practitioners in gaining a better understanding of the micro-foundations of administrative behaviours and devise more effective interventions and regulatory practices.

This is the first time an Asian scholar has received this award.