Mingming Li

Sociology PhD Candidate | Gender Gaps in STEM, Education & Labor Markets | Quantitative Researcher | University of Innsbruck

Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria

About

I am a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Innsbruck, working on gender inequality in STEM preferences, educational choices, and labor market outcomes. My dissertation examines how economic resources, security, and expected returns shape gender gaps in math-related aspirations and STEM trajectories. My research sits at the intersection of sociology, economics, education, and labor market studies. I use quantitative methods to study gender inequality, STEM education, platform and gig work, wage gaps, and social stratification, with a particular interest in how institutional and economic contexts shape individual choices and opportunities. I am currently a major contributor to the Austrian Science Fund project "Affluence and the Gender Gap in STEM Study Choices" and principal investigator of a project on the role of the gig economy in gender wage gaps in China. My publications have appeared in journals including Sex Roles, Acta Psychologica, Sage Open, PLOS ONE, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Energy, and Environment, Development and Sustainability. Research interests: gender inequality; STEM education; educational trajectories; labor markets; wage gaps; gig and platform economy; quantitative sociology; China studies.

Experience

  • Doctoral Researcher / PhD Candidate at Universität Innsbruck
    Oct 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 10 mos

    Conduct dissertation research on economic resources and gender gaps in STEM preferences and choices. Study how economic security, expected returns, socialization, and labor market signals shape gendered educational and occupational trajectories. Contribute to the Austrian Science Fund project Affluence and the Gender Gap in STEM Study Choices, led by Prof. Wilfred Uunk. Serve as principal investigator for an EPOS University of Innsbruck project on gig economy and gender wage gaps in China. Prepare peer-reviewed articles in sociology, education, gender studies, and labor market research.

  • Visiting Scholar at Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories LIfBi
    Oct 2025 - Jan 2026 · 4 mos

    Visited Department 2 for Educational Decisions and Processes, Migration, and Returns to Education. Collaborated with Dr. Corinna Kleinert on research concerning affluence and gender gaps in STEM choices in Germany.

  • Academic Editor at PLOS ONE
    Jan 2024 - Jan 2025 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Served as Academic Editor for manuscripts in sociology, economics, labor, environment, and gender studies. Coordinated peer review and editorial evaluation for interdisciplinary social science research.

  • Research Assistant at Institute of Common Prosperity and Development, Zhejiang University
    Sep 2022 - Sep 2023 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Conducted policy research under supervision of Prof. Li Shi and Prof. Guo Jiqiang. Led research work on wage collective bargaining in Deqing. Contributed to topic selection and writing for the Huzhou Common Prosperity Blue Book.

  • Research Assistant at Hungarian Academy of Sciences
    Jan 2021 - Dec 2021 · 1 yr

    Worked on the Human Capital Effects of Abortion Laws in Hungary project led by Agnes Szabo. Contributed to research on Hungarian child benefit and fertility policy design. Supported model design, Stata coding, and manuscript development.