Li-Yu Liao | Rural Studies | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

Ms. Li-Yu Liao | Rural Studies | Best Researcher Award

University of Glasgow Taiwan

Liao, L.Y. is a passionate researcher whose work bridges climate change, mental health, and human-nature relationships. With a deep commitment to understanding how people respond to environmental disruptions, she examines the psychological and emotional effects of extreme weather events, especially among trekkers in Taiwan. Her interdisciplinary research integrates therapeutic landscapes, ecological vulnerability, and adaptive human behavior, aiming to foster resilience and care in times of climate crisis. Beyond academic pursuits, she actively contributes to scholarly communication through conference presentations and editing roles. Her scholarship, which includes award-winning work on gender performativity in agriculture, demonstrates a strong commitment to socio-environmental justice and feminist geographies. Her publications span journals and symposiums, offering fresh insights into how agricultural technologies shape human-machine relationships, especially for women. Currently, she is furthering her contributions through research projects exploring transnational rural development, marine environmental politics, and sustainable agri-food systems.

Profile

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🎓 Education 

L.Y. holds a Master’s degree with a research thesis titled Agricultural Technologies and the Emergence of Cyborg Assemblage: Gender Performativity of Taiwanese Young Female Farmers published in 2021 and written in Chinese. Her academic training is grounded in the social sciences, with a specific emphasis on gender, culture, and environmental studies. She has honed her analytical and writing skills through academic coursework, field research, and interdisciplinary seminars. During her education, she was actively involved in symposiums such as those organized by the Taiwan STS Association and the Geography Society of China. Her early academic experience shaped her interests in feminist geography, human-nature connections, and cultural aspects of technological adoption. Her education has provided a strong foundation in qualitative research methodologies, critical theory, and cultural geography, positioning her well for exploring intersections of mental health, climate change, and care in vulnerable landscapes.

💼 Experience 

Liao, L.Y. served as a Research Assistant supporting Dr. Wang in three major research initiatives, including studies on transnational rural theory, marine environmental politics, and global agri-food networks. In these roles, she contributed to data analysis, literature reviews, and project coordination. Previously, from March 2018 to January 2021,which enhanced her teaching and mentoring skills. Between September 2018 and November 2019, she served as Assistant Editor for the Journal of the Agricultural Association of Taiwan and the Journal of Communication and Development, facilitating peer-review communication and editorial workflows. These diverse roles have refined her skills in academic writing, collaborative research, interdisciplinary engagement, and knowledge dissemination. Her professional trajectory reflects a commitment to research excellence, educational support, and active participation in scholarly communities focused on environment, care, and justice.

🏆 Awards and Honors 

Liao, L.Y. received the Outstanding Research Paper Award in 2021 from The Geography Society of China (Taipei) for her paper titled Hard This prestigious recognition reflects her innovative exploration of gender performativity and machine-human relationships in Taiwanese agriculture. Her ability to critically interrogate cultural narratives and technological paradigms has garnered attention in academic forums and symposiums. Beyond this accolade, her selection to present at leading national symposiums such as the Taiwan STS Association and the Geography Society of China underscores her growing recognition in the field of feminist geography and environmental studies. Her involvement in editorial roles and interdisciplinary research teams also showcases her excellence in scholarly communication, research coordination, and theoretical advancement. These honors affirm her role as a promising and impactful young researcher committed to socio-ecological inquiry and academic rigor.

🔬 Research Focus 

Liao, L.Y.’s research lies at the crossroads of climate change, mental health, and care, with a strong foundation in feminist geography and environmental humanities. Her current work examines the psychological and emotional responses of trekkers in Taiwan to extreme weather events, exploring how self-care and mental well-being are shaped by ecological instability. She investigates therapeutic landscapes and adaptive behaviors in contexts of climate vulnerability, contributing to a nuanced understanding of human resilience and environmental interaction. Previously, she explored cyborg assemblages and gender performativity among Taiwanese female farmers, highlighting the embodied experiences of women with agricultural technologies. Her ongoing collaboration on projects related to transnational countryside development, marine environmental politics, and agri-food sustainability reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary perspectives and social justice. Her research contributes valuable insights into human-nature relationships, particularly in times of ecological crisis, and encourages a more compassionate and holistic approach to environmental care and mental health.

 Conclusion

The researcher presents a compelling and interdisciplinary body of work that bridges climate change, gender, mental health, and human-nature relationships in novel and socially significant ways. With clear research independence, thematic originality, and academic engagement, they stand as a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. With continued focus on high-impact publishing, internationalization, and leadership, this researcher is poised to make significant and lasting contributions to environmental humanities and critical geograph

📝Publications 

  1. Agricultural technologies and the emergence of cyborg assemblage: Rethinking the relationships between young women farmers and agricultural machines in Taiwan | 2025 | Liao, L. Y.

  2. The Gender Politics of Agricultural Technologies and the Emergence of Cyborg Assemblage | 2021 | Liao, L. Y.

  3. Rhizomatic Guanxi: Explaining farmer pesticide use patterns and practices in rural Taiwan | 2024 | Chiu, Y. C., Chan, K. W. R., Maye, D., & Liao, L. Y