Meet the New McDonough Faculty: Yifang Xie

We are pleased to welcome new faculty members to the Georgetown McDonough community this fall. 

In our Meet the New McDonough Faculty Series, learn more about the interests, specialties, experiences, and personalities behind the talented academics inside the Rafik B. Hariri Building on Georgetown’s campus. 

We spoke with Yifang Xie, assistant professor of accounting, about what she hopes to accomplish at Georgetown through her engagement with students, research, classroom teachings, and beyond.

What are you most looking forward to when it comes to working at Georgetown McDonough?

I am very much looking forward to conducting research with my colleagues and generating positive
synergies with them. I am also looking forward to teaching our bright and aspiring students at
Georgetown McDonough.

What institution or previous line of work are you coming from?

Prior to joining McDonough, I taught at the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business from 2020 to 2022.

What is your area(s) of expertise and which subject(s) are you most passionate about?

My research interests include corporate information disclosure and business and financial
regulations. I’m particularly interested in understanding the economic forces that shape a firm’s
decision on information disclosure and its implications on capital markets.

What is your favorite quote and why?

My favorite quote is “the only impossible journey is the one you never begin,” written by Tony Robbins. This quote is a constant reminder for me that life is full of possibilities and I shall never give in to my inner fears. This kind of spirit is particularly relevant now given the unprecedented times we are in and the great uncertainties we all face.

What is your favorite podcast or book and why?

My favorite podcast is Freakonomics. It’s fun, and at the same time, it reveals the hidden side of almost everything. It is not only fun to listen to, but sometimes it also offers me new perspectives or even research ideas on interesting developments in the real world.

How would you describe yourself in a few words?

I love meeting and learning from people of different backgrounds.

What do you hope to ultimately bring to the McDonough community?

I hope that my interest in interdisciplinary research can bring a new perspective to accounting
research. As an instructor, I would like to bring new insights of research into the classroom.