About – Professor Mingming Cheng

Welcome to my personal website. I am currently a Professor in digital marketing and Director of the Social Media Research Lab at the School of Management and Marketing, Curtin University, Australia.

I am passionate about research. My research examines the digital transformation of the tourism industry – new experiences (e.g., Airbnb), new marketing channels (e.g., social media), new technology-savvy markets (e.g., Chinese post-80s tourist market) and the environmental impacts of tourism including carbon footprint.

I have a particular interest in data science (big data) and social media analytics

I am committed to innovative research and teaching practices that create positive impacts on those involved. I have won multiple awards in recognising excellence in teaching, research, PhD supervision, engagement and leadership (over thirty international, national and university prestigious awards), notably:

~2022 CETT Alimara Barcelona Award by B-Travel Tourism Fair, Barcelona Trade Fair Institute and University of Barcelona Center for Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy. This award recognises the outstanding contribution of applied research to address the global challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industry.

~Australia’s Top 40 Early Career Researchers – Rising Stars of Research and Leaders of the Future across all disciplines by the Australian Magazine (The Five Best-Performing Early Career Researchers in Business, Economics and Management)

~International Academy of the Study of Tourism Emerging Scholar of Distinction Award for the significant contribution to ground breaking and innovative research in tourism – the highest recognition for an early career researcher in tourism globally (within 10 years of completing a PhD)

~CAUTHE Fellows Award recognising an academic from Australia or New Zealand who is seen to have made the greatest contribution to Australasian tourism, hospitality and/or event research.

~ABC Top 5 (Humanities) 2022 – Australia’s best and brightest young minds (The TOP 5 Humanities is a two-week media residency, which aims to discover Australia’s next generation of dynamic thinkers and give them a voice).

~Australian Institute of Policy & Science Young Tall Poppy Science Award, recognising excellence in research as well as enthusiasm for communicating science beyond the walls of the laboratory. The Awards are widely considered to be an early indicator of Australia’s future scientific leaders.

Google my citations

I am also the associate editor and on the editorial board of the following journals:

I am also on the external grant review panel for Australia Research Council, Hong Kong Research Grant Councils and Poland National Science Center (equivalent to Australia Research Council).

I am also a regular contributor to the mainstream media including ABC News, Sydney Morning Herald, Perth News, SBS News (Mandarin), The Conversation, NZ Stuff News, NZ Radio and South China Morning Post on my research areas

Thus far, I have attracted more than AU$ 650,000 research funding

Potential PhD applicants (中文版本)

I am actively seeking PhD students who are genuinely passionate about research in marketing and tourism. To determine your suitability, in your email, please send the following documents:

1: Most updated CV detailing your research experience

2: Academic Transcripts

3: Publications (Essential – unfortunately, currently I would not take PhD students who do not have journal publications)

4: Your research interests should closely align with social media and related areas