Prof. Li Xiaoyun is Chair of China International Development Research Network (CIDRN) based in China Agricultural University, Beijing and is also associated with Network of Southern Think Tanks (NeST). For more than 20 years, Prof. Li has made a significant contribution to development studies, education and applied policy research capacity for rural development in China. He has been one of the most influential experts for rural development policies in China and has also directed and supervised most donor interventions in China. His most important works focus on poverty reduction, smallholder agricultural development, rural finance, local government development and NGOs, natural resources management, participation and gender, and development intervention. Dr. Li received his first degree in Agriculture Science from Ningxia Agriculture College in 1981, and his MS and PhD in Agricultural Science from Beijing Agricultural University in 1984 and 1987. From 1987 to 1989, he served as a policy analyst for rural development in the State Council of China. During those years, he participated in a number of important policy formulations for rural development in China. After 1989, he became the Executive Director of Center for Integrated Agricultural Development at Beijing Agricultural University. Dr. Li has published more than 30 books and more 200 papers on those topics mentioned above. He has been the recipient of numerous honours, including the China State Council Special Contribution Award and China Poverty Reduction Award.
