Dr. Yong Zhao is a Foundation Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas. He previously held leadership roles at the University of Oregon and Michigan State University, including as director of institutes focused on global education and educational technology. He has also worked in Australia and the UK, and is an elected member of the National Academy of Education.

An internationally recognized scholar, Zhao has published over 100 articles and nearly 40 books on globalization, technology, and education reform. His recent titles include Focused (2024), Duck and Cover (2023), and Learning for Uncertainty (2022). He has collaborated with schools worldwide to develop innovative education models.

Over his four-decade career, Zhao has led major research projects, developed software tools, and advised institutions across five continents. Born in Sichuan, China, he earned his Ph.D. in education from the University of Illinois in 1996 and began his U.S. academic career at Michigan State University.