Dr. Lesley Turnbull

Dr. Turnbull holds a doctoral degree in anthropology from Cornell University and has overseen a diverse array of academic programs in CIEE’s Pacific Rim region. She previously served as an Assistant Professor Faculty Fellow at New York University, where she taught courses in anthropology and Asian studies and conducted research on ethnic minorities in China. Her work has been supported by the Fulbright-Hays program, among others. Dr. Turnbull is fluent in Mandarin and has studied to intermediate proficiency in Turkish, Korean, and French, reflecting her commitment to cross-cultural understanding and exchange. An enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation, she is a dedicated advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples worldwide.