Dr. Lan Xiaohuan is a Professor of Economics at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS). Before joining CEIBS, he was a Professor of Economics at Fudan University. He also worked in the finance industry and local governments in China, and was the director of strategy & research at Yangtze River Industry Fund. Dr. Lan obtained his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Virginia in 2012, his M.A. in Economics from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in 2006, and his B.A. in Economics from Dongbei University of Finance & Economics in 2001. 

Professor Lan’s research interests include development economics, political economics, etc. His primary focus is on local government investment and financing in China, the link between macroeconomic phenomena and micro-behaviour, China's political and economic system, as well as industrial policies and innovation. He has published many articles in leading journals in economics and public policy. He received the Masahiko Aoki Award for Economics Paper in 2019.  His book, How China Works: An Introduction to China’s State-led Economic Development, has sold multiple millions of copies in China. The book is widely popular not only in academia, but also in governments and business communities. It won the Wenjin Book Award granted by the National Library of China. It has been translated into English, Russian, Japanese, Spanish, and other languages. He has been the associate editor of Journal of Development Economics since 2021 and Quarterly Journal of Economics and Management (in Chinese) since 2022.

Professor Lan is deeply committed to educating future scholars and practitioners. He teaches courses on political economy, industrial policies and innovation, and finance and political power. Known for his engaging style, he connects theory with real-world applications. Lan Xiaohuan bridges academia, industry, and policy, making him pivotal in understanding technology and economics in China and beyond. Professor Lan engages in policy discussions and industry forums. He collaborates with government agencies, think tanks, and private sector leaders to offer evidence-based recommendations on technology and economic policy.