Gary is a Professor of Chinese and Asian Studies at The University of Western Australia. His research focuses on cultural and social transformation in a rapidly changing China, with a emphasis at present on China's southwest region (Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Guangxi). His has two projects on the boil at present: 1) a detailed study of the politics of cultural heritage as it pertains to Yunnan Province's 'Ancient Tea Horse Road'; and 2) the emergence of China's culture of outdoor and adventure tourism (covering issues such as the 'return to nature', 'associational life', and 'environmental impacts of inbound visitors to ecologically and culturally sensitive regions'). Gary keeps a record of his research activities on his blog at: www.chinawatch2050.com.