Professor Yu Xiong Elected Fellow of UK Academy of Social Sciences for Blockchain and Metaverse Research

Professor Yu Xiong, an internationally renowned scholar specializing in business analytics, blockchain, metaverse technologies, and innovation ecosystems, has been elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS), one of the UK’s highest honors in the social sciences. This recognition underscores the growing importance of interdisciplinary research that bridges technology and society, particularly as digital innovations like blockchain and AI reshape global systems. Professor Xiong’s work has consistently demonstrated how academic rigor can inform real-world policy and industry practices, ensuring that technological advancements serve broader societal goals rather than merely driving efficiency or profit.

Among his most impactful contributions is a landmark study published in Nature Communications in 2021, which exposed the massive carbon footprint of Bitcoin mining. The research projected emissions equivalent to those of entire nations, fundamentally altering global perceptions of cryptocurrency sustainability. Widely cited by policymakers and media, the study influenced debates at COP26 and accelerated regulatory actions, including China’s crackdown on crypto mining. This work exemplifies Professor Xiong’s commitment to using evidence-based research to address pressing environmental and social challenges, highlighting the critical role of social sciences in guiding technological development toward sustainability and equity.

Professor Xiong’s expertise extends beyond academia into industry leadership, having served as Vice President of Fotor, a platform with over 650 million users, and as a non-executive director for Yinde Group, which invests in over 30 companies annually in the UK. He founded and leads the University of Surrey Academy of Blockchain and Metaverse Applications, advancing cutting-edge research and fostering collaboration between academia and industry. Additionally, he chaired the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Metaverse and Web 3.0, shaping policies in emerging digital fields, and is a member of the advisory board for All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) in the UK Parliament. These roles demonstrate his unique ability to translate scholarly insights into practical innovations and policy recommendations.

His current work focuses on Endless Protocol, a decentralized intelligent protocol built to bridge Web2 and Web3 ecosystems, exploring the future of an AI-powered Web3 ecosystem. Endless has incubated Luffa, a social operating system that integrates programmable loyalty, decentralized identity, and AI-driven agents, providing creators and fans with new tools to build value and trust. This initiative aligns with Professor Xiong’s vision of leveraging blockchain and AI not just for efficiency but for fairness, transparency, and sustainability. His Fellowship recognition affirms the importance of such integrative approaches, where rigorous scholarship informs innovative applications that empower communities and promote equitable digital economies.

The Academy of Social Sciences, with more than 1,700 Fellows, champions the vital role that social sciences play in advancing knowledge, shaping public policy, and addressing society’s most pressing challenges. Professor Xiong’s election as a Fellow highlights the academy’s commitment to recognizing excellence that spans academia, government, business, and the third sector. His work exemplifies how interdisciplinary research can drive meaningful change, ensuring that technologies like blockchain and AI are developed and deployed in ways that prioritize public good, sustainability, and social equity, ultimately shaping a more inclusive and responsible digital future.