Country Staff

Dr Leshan Tan brings a strong research and teaching background to The Foundation, as well as more than 10 years' experience in development and management with Save the Children UK and ORBIS International in China. 

At ORBIS International (2001-2009), Leshan was responsible for directing, managing, implementing, and developing ORBIS programs throughout three county offices (Kunming, Taiyuan and Baotou). 

In addition to his NGO experience, Leshan has researched and taught extensively on China's history, politics, economy, society, and culture. He was an Associate Professor at Xiamen University's Institute of Anthropology and a visiting Professor at Cornell University's Department of Asian Studies. Courses taught include ‘China's Policy toward Ethnic Minorities' and ‘Ethnic Relations between the Han Chinese and Ethnic Minorities in China'.

He has held research fellowships at The Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences and the Center for Rural Development Studies. 

Leshan holds a PhD in Anthropology from Cornell University and a BA in History from Yunnan University.