Dr. Leon Xiao

Professor and Vice Dean, School of the Arts & Communication, Beijing Normal University (Beijing)
 
Dr. Leon Xiao is a Professor and Vice Dean of the School of the Art & Communication at Beijing Normal University in Beijing, China. 

 
He is the creator of the digital media curricula at BNU and founded the Institute of Digital Media, a pioneer platform equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which serves as the model for excellence in digital media curricula for all of China. Dr Xiao is also the Head of the BNU Jingshi Institute of Cultural & Creative Industry supported by the government of Beijing.

Dr. Xiao is a member of the Multi-Ministry Committee for Promoting Animation & Comics Industry, an executive member of New Media Arts Curricular Development Committee under the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council, PRC, and a member of other expert committees for the Minister of Education, Minister of Information Industry, etc.

Dr. Xiao lived in the United States for almost 20 years, where he earned his MA and PhD there and continued his postdoctoral work.  Dr Xiao was Systems Chief at Blue Sky Studios of 20th Century Fox for 5 years, where he and his team produced special effects for films including Joe's Apartment (1996), Simple Wish (1997), Titanic (1997), Alien: Resurrection (1997), Lulu on the Bridge (1998), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), as well as the Academy Award winning films Bunny (1998), Jesus' Son (1999) Fight Club (1999), and Ice Age (2002).  Dr Xiao also taught at both New York University and Tisch School of the Arts.

Professor Xiao returned to China to research and promote the digital media, digital arts, cultural & creative industry sectors.  He has published over 20 books, is the Chairman of ACM SIGGRAPH Beijing Chapter, a judge of the China TV Golden Eagle Award, China Academy Award, and Student Film Festival.