The University of Delaware’s John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance has announced the appointment of Fei Xie, Chaplin Tyler Professor of Finance at the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, as the center’s inaugural faculty research director. His one-year term began Aug. 1, 2025.
This newly established position is designed to advance the Weinberg Center’s mission of promoting excellence in corporate governance by deepening connections to the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics faculty, expanding scholarly initiatives and increasing opportunities for student involvement.
As faculty research director, Xie will help organize and lead the center’s annual research paper competition, promote research grant opportunities in partnership with the Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute (IRRCi), and assist in the review of proposals. He will also work to highlight Lerner faculty research, recognize notable scholarly achievements and explore the development of a corporate governance working paper series featuring UD faculty.
“Fei’s appointment sets a strong example of how our academic centers can enrich Lerner’s impact across research, education and engagement,” said Lerner College Dean Oliver Yao. “He is a nationally recognized expert in corporate governance whose leadership will enhance the Weinberg Center’s scholarly reach and its connection to faculty and students alike.”
Xie will also support efforts to maintain an up-to-date list of UD faculty conducting research in corporate governance, encourage faculty participation in center events, help identify candidates for the center’s Steele Fellowship program and promote student engagement through outreach and event collaboration.
“This role offers an exciting opportunity to further strengthen the academic foundation of the Weinberg Center and expand its connections within the UD community,” Xie said. “The center already has a strong reputation among scholars and practitioners, and I look forward to contributing to its continued growth in impactful research and faculty and student engagement.”
A leading researcher in corporate finance and governance, Xie’s work has been published in numerous top academic journals, including the Journal of Finance, Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Financial Economics, Journal of Accounting and Economics, The Accounting Review, Management Science, and Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis. His research has received multiple awards and garnered significant citations. He is a research associate at the European Corporate Governance Institute and serves on the editorial boards of several major finance journals.
Lawrence Cunningham, the Director of the Weinberg Center, said the new faculty research director role reflects best practices among peer centers nationwide and enhances the center’s capacity to support impactful academic work.
“Fei brings an exceptional record of scholarship and a strong commitment to mentorship and engagement,” Cunningham said. “He will help us build on our strengths in research, connect more deeply with faculty and students, and continue advancing the field of corporate governance.”
Founded in 2000, the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance is one of the longest-standing centers of its kind in the United States. The center convenes leaders from business, law, academia and the investment community to examine corporate governance challenges and share insights that shape policy and practice.
“Corporate governance plays a critical role in how businesses operate and are held accountable,” Xie said. “By fostering research and dialogue in this space, the center can help prepare students to become informed, responsible leaders in their organizations and communities.”
The appointment aligns with Lerner College’s strategic priorities of advancing faculty excellence, fostering student success and creating innovative academic experiences that connect research and practice.
“Through the Weinberg Center and with Fei’s leadership, we are deepening our commitment to producing scholarship that matters and supporting the next generation of business leaders,” Yao said.
To learn more about the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance and its programs, visit lerner.udel.edu/weinberg-center.