May Tan-Mullins | Provost and CEO, Professor of Sustainability, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (ASEAN)
University of Reading Malaysia

rofessor May Tan-Mullins is a political ecologist and passionate advocate for sustainability. Prior to assuming her current role as Provost and CEO of the University of Reading Malaysia, she held leadership positions at various higher education institutions, including James Cook University Singapore and the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). Her previous roles encompassed a wide range of academic and administrative responsibilities, including Dean International, Chief Sustainability Officer, Vice Provost of Teaching and Learning, Associate Provost for Global Engagement, Dean of Graduate School, and Director of the Institute of Asia and Pacific Studies. As a Professor of Sustainability, Professor Tan-Mullins’ research interests span the political ecology of rising China, environmental and energy justice, poverty alleviation, and building resilience for marginalized communities against climate change. Leveraging her expertise in international development and human security, she has provided consultancy services to organizations such as the UNDP, the National Bureau of Asian Research, the Revenue Watch Institute, and the Chinese government. Professor Tan-Mullins has been honored with multiple provincial and municipal awards from the Chinese government and the prestigious Rockefeller Bellagio writing residency. Her recent research projects, in collaboration with the University of Nottingham UK and the University of the Philippines, have focused on poverty alleviation in post-Typhoon Yolanda (ESRC-DFID, 2015-2018) and the political effects of infrastructure projects in Asia (Research Council of Norway, 2022-2025). She has also provided extensive training to senior leaders of Chinese enterprises on corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and risk mitigation strategies for Belt and Road Initiative projects. Additionally, she serves as an advisor for the green startup Skilledin Green, an executive committee member for The Association of Southeast Asian Studies, and the board secretary for the Mr and Mrs Wong Centre for the Study of Multinational Corporations.