People
CAPI has been fortunate to work with a team of dedicated and talented faculty and professional staff at UVic, and an ever-expanding community of individuals and organizations in Canada and across the Asia-Pacific. From our distinguished and accomplished Associates, to the fresh talent of our interns, and the inspirational members of our regional partner organizations, CAPI’s achievements reflect the vision and dedication of our people.
Meet the CAPI team
Helen Lansdowne, Associate Director
Helen Lansdowne has a BA and an MA in Pacific and Asian Studies from UVic and has been with CAPI since late 1998. She brings expertise in rural China state-society relations. Her most recent area of study includes mainland Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on development and gender.
Robyn Fila, Program Manager
Robyn Fila has a BA in Geography from the University of Victoria, and an MA in Adult Education and Global Change from Linkoping University in Sweden.
Leslie Butt, Research Fellow
Dr. Leslie Butt's research focuses on cultural experiences and practices in the arenas of reproduction and sexuality, with a particular focus on infants, childrearing and the meaning of children.
Liana Kennedy, Secretary
Liana Kennedy has a BA in Psychology from the University of Victoria. She brings over 15 years of experience in project and event management, office administration and bookkeeping. The majority of her work has been in the non-profit sector.
Natasha Fox, Assistant to Jarislowsky East Asia Chair
Natasha Fox received her BA from Portland State University in International Studies with a minor in Japanese. She is currently a second year MA student in the Department of Pacific and Asian Studies at UVic. She is interested in transnational/transcultural flows of ideas and capital, and how these relate to gender, especially in Japan. Her current research focuses on sexual minority women and Tokyo's Shinjuku Ni-Chome district, where she completed a research trip in September 2011. The trip was partially funded by a prior position at CAPI.
Catherine Dooner, Communications Officer
Catherine graduated from the University of Surrey in the UK with a BA in Business Studies and French. She brings over 12 years of communications experience to her role, mostly in the nonprofit sector. She is covering Heike Edam's maternity leave until June 30, 2013.
