About Me

Hi! I am Likun, an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Purdue University. I obtained my Ph.D. degree in sociology at the University of Chicago and Knowledge Lab, advised by Professor James Evans. I earned both my BA and MA at Tsinghua University in China.

My current work focuses on science & technology innovation and its social impacts. I am curious about the conditions and mechanisms by which new things emerge and evolve, and how innovations influence business competition and social structures. In my work, I apply computational methods (e.g., natural language processing, simulation model and machine learning), advanced statistical models and some qualitative skills (e.g., interview and observation).

Thank you for your interest in my intellectual adventures. To reach out, please send me an email at lkcao@uchicago.edu, or leave me a message on this website.