Introduction
Hello, I’m Kejia Hu, and I’m excited to be joining Exeter College as a Fellow and the Saïd Business School at Oxford University as an Associate Professor of Management Science this coming September. I am originally from China but have spent significant time in the United States for my studies and career. I studied Statistics as an undergraduate at Fudan University in China. After that, I moved to the United States, where I worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and obtained my M.S. in Statistics at the University of California – Davis. Later, at Northwestern University, I received my Ph.D. in Operations Management from the Kellogg School of Management.
Research
In my research, I delve into the process of unlocking business value from data. I’ve developed a unique “DEFI” framework that guides this process, starting with data collection, moving on to exploration and findings, and culminating in valuable insights. This framework has proven to be effective in my research collaborations with several industry giants such as L’Oreal, Marriott International, Dell, Alibaba, Nissan, and TikTok. My research that embedded the “DEFI” framework has been recognized with Best Paper Awards at flagship conferences and journals in our field. Beyond my individual research, I’ve served on the board of POMS College of Service Operations and the INFORMS Service Science section, and as a scholar fellow for the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures. This blend of research and service allows me to contribute to the field in a meaningful way, and I’m always eager to connect with potential researchers and students who share related research interests.
Teaching
Teaching is a passion of mine. I’ve been named one of the “40-Under-40 MBA Professors” by Poets & Quants, a media outlet dedicated to global business school news. At Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management, I had the pleasure of teaching operations management to undergraduate students and service operations to MBA students. Now, at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, I’m excited to teach business analytics to MBA students and statistical research methods to Doctoral students. There’s nothing quite like witnessing students grasp complex concepts, develop critical thinking skills, and prepare themselves for real-world challenges in their careers.
Personal
When I’m not immersed in research or teaching, you might find me playing the piano or planning my next travel adventure.
