Qiucheng (Michael) Li
PhD Candidate in Sociology
Supervisors: Professor Kevin Dew and Dr Justin Richards
Before beginning my doctoral studies, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy from the University of Debrecen in Hungary. I subsequently worked as a physiotherapist across both Europe and mainland China, which allowed me to gain a diverse and practical understanding of clinical practice in different healthcare systems. My early exposure to varying institutional frameworks and patient expectations helped shape my interest in the broader social dimensions of healthcare delivery.
Over time, I moved into more senior roles, including serving as an Athletic Trainer at Shanghai Disney Resort, Director of Physiotherapy at National Sport & Rehab Clinic, and later as Operations Director at American Medical Center, Shanghai. These experiences placed me at the intersection of clinical service delivery, staff management, and strategic decision-making. They also made me acutely aware of the increasing demand for rehabilitation services in China and the growing tension between service expectations and the relatively underdeveloped professional structures supporting healthcare fields such as physiotherapy.
In response to these challenges, I pursued a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management at the University of Illinois at Chicago. This programme expanded my understanding of health policy, organisational behaviour, and system-level coordination. It also helped me to critically reflect on the evolving role of health professionals within broader societal and institutional settings. I came to realise that the development of physiotherapy, and many similar fields, is not solely a matter of training or regulation, but is deeply embedded in cultural values, governance, and public perceptions.
These insights led me to shift from clinical practice to academic inquiry. My current doctoral research takes a sociological approach to studying the professionalization of physiotherapy, with a particular focus on how national contexts shape the legitimacy, autonomy, and authority of the profession. This line of inquiry reflects my broader interest in how knowledge and professional identity are constructed and contested within healthcare systems undergoing rapid transformation.
Research Interests
Sociology of Health Professions, Sociology of Health and Illness, Public Health
Qualifications
Hungarian Registered Physiotherapist, WCPT European Region
Licensed Advanced Practitioner of Acupuncture, Hungary
Youth Editorial Board of Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Medical Research
Judge of the Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Group, Chinese Association of Rehabilitation
Member of the Sociological Association of Aotearoa New Zealand
Member of the Asia-Pacific Athletic Trainer Association
Oral Presentations
2025. Li, Q. "Governing the Profession: Early Document Analysis on the Professionalization of Physiotherapy in China." SAANZ Conference, 5 December, 2025.