Mike Zhiren Wu

Research Interest

Behavioral Economics, Development Economics

Supervisors

Professor Erte Xiao (Main advisor)

Professor Xiaojian Zhao (Co advisor)

Publication

“Is It What You Say, or How You Say It?”  (with Xiangdong Qin and Siyu Wang)  Experimental Economics, 2024

"From Adam Smith to Artificial Intelligence: An Experimental Exploration of Emotion in Humanomics" (with Xiangdong Qin, Siyu Wang and Xuechun Feng)  Public Choice, 2024

Working paper

1. “Wings of Growth: A Mindset Intervention in Rural China” with Juliana Silva Goncalves, Elif Incekara-Hafalir, Erte Xiao and Hui Xu  [Manuscript: July 2025]  Job Market Paper

Abstract:  We evaluate the impact of a six-week growth mindset intervention conducted in 18 disadvantaged middle schools in rural China. In the short term, the intervention improved students’ socio-emotional skills, including strengthened growth mindset, stronger internal locus of control and moderately enhanced grit. However, we find no significant effects on academic performance or aspirations. At the six-month follow-up, the medium-term effects remained largely sustained, although weakened in size. Short-term benefits were more pronounced among male students, those with better baseline academic performance, and those who received more parenting. In the medium term, treatment effect heterogeneity persisted for baseline academic performance, weakened for parenting, and disappeared across gender.

2. "Language and Trade in Artificial Codes: The Role of Language Policy" with Fuhai Hong, Yang Yang and Xiaojian Zhao [Manuscript: June 2025] 

Abstract:  This paper experimentally explores the emergence and evolution of common codes under a highly abstract trading context. We find that pidgins (simplified means of communication between individuals who do not share a common language) are more likely to arise when the policy environment regarding foreign language learning is highly restrictive. These simplified languages enable trading parties to effectively overcome existing language barriers. Meanwhile, language assimilation would always occur as long as the policy allows the free flow of information about foreign languages. Additionally, we provide evidence that distinct policies pertaining to the foreign language indirectly affects the selection of trade regimes.

Work in Progress

"Language and Trade in Artificial Codes" with Yiting Guo, Fuhai Hong, Yang Yang and Xiaojian Zhao (Paper Writing)

"Supervisory Feedback, Gender Stereotypes and Leadership Styles" with Philip Grossman and Anna Lovász (Data Collection)

"Gender Difference in Willingness to Compete: Evidence from Poker Tournaments" with Xiaodong Fan  (Data Collection)

"Greenwashing" with Chengsi Wang and Erte Xiao  (Design Phase)

"Too Big to Innovate" with Shicheng Jiang and Xiangdong Qin (Data Analysis & Theory in Progress)

Refereeing

Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (2)

Teaching Experience

Behavioral Economics (Teaching Assistant) Undergrad | SJTU 2020 Spring

Behavioral Economics (Teaching Assistant) Undergrad | Monash University 2022 S2 / 2023 S2

Game theory and Business Strategy (Teaching Assistant) Master | Monash University 2023 S1

Experiment Economics  (Teaching Assistant) Undergrad | Monash University 2023 S2

Honors and Awards

Shanghai Government Scholarship 2014-2021

Monash Business School and Department of Economics Co-funded Graduate Research Scholarship 2022-2025