Dr. Mike Gow is Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Business and Management at Edge Hill University Business School.  He joined the Business School in October 2019.  

Mike completed his PhD in East Asian Studies at the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies at the University of Bristol in 2013.  He also holds an MSc with Distinction in East Asian Studies (Bristol) and a 1st Class BA (Hons) in International Business (Trent). 

Mike's research focuses on contemporary China, exploring the role of consumerism and industry in state-building projects - with a focus on developments in the 21st century.  He speaks and reads Mandarin Chinese to an advanced level, having studied extensively at Fudan University (2004/05) and Peking University (2007/08), while also living, studiyng and working in China from 2004 to 2018. 

His research aims to understand the mobilization of the private sector in relation to superstrcutural reform; the role consumerism plays in both reproducing and transforming contemporary Chinese society; how the state, civil society and the private sector combine to "create" citizens in Xi Jinping's New Era.  He retains an interest in monitoring the internationalization of China's HE sector, and is currently developing new research interests related to the CSR challenges posed to multinational corporations with operations in the People's Republic of China

Prior to joining EHU Business School, Mike held appoitnments at New York University, Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University and Coventry University's School of Strategy and Leadership. He has also taught extensively at institutions in China, includng Fudan University (Boston School of Management Program) and University of Shanghai Science and Technology.  

At Edge Hill University, Mike currently delivers undergraduate modules on Marketing Communications, Global Marketing Management, Global Corporate Social Responsiblity, and Critical Debates in Advertising.  He also supervises undergraduate and postgraduate (MA/MBA) dissertation projects.

Dr. Gow is very interested in discussing, receiving and reviewing proposals from prospective PhD candidates in and across the fields of East Asian/China Studies, international business, advertising, and studies related to consumerism which adopt a critical theoretical approach.  Prospective PhD candidates can contact Dr. Gow to discuss their proposal by emailing [email protected]