Urban Studies and Planning PhD candidate Zhenpeng (Frank) Zou has been awarded an Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship from the University of Maryland’s Graduate School for the 2020-21 year. The one-semester fellowship supports students in the final stages of their doctorate by providing a stipend, tuition and fees, allowing candidates to fully devote themselves to their dissertation.
Zou’s dissertation examines the equity impacts of the sharing economy, specifically looking at best practices, policy and implications in the urban environment. His recent paper in Housing Policy Debate on the effects of short-term rental companies like Airbnb on the Washington, D.C., housing market garnered significant media attention. Zou has also done extensive work in the areas of data analytics and transportation through the National Center for Smart Growth.
"Frank is an integral part of our research community," said Dr. Casey Dawkins, director of MAPP’s Ph.D. program. "He has made significant contributions that further the understanding of these emerging urban trends. We are thrilled he’s being recognized by the university for his efforts."
Zou was previously one of 16 students to receive the Graduate All-S.T.A.R. Fellowship in 2018, honoring graduate students who are both outstanding scholars and outstanding graduate assistants. He is the second Ph.D. candidate to receive this Wylie fellowship at the school; Yuchen Cui was a Wylie fellow in 2015-16. Learn more about the fellowship at the UMD Graduate School website.