Tanjian Liang

Fulbright Global Scholar Award

Dr. Tanjian Liang is an associate professor in the Department of Sport and Movement Studies at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington. A teacher educator and former collegiate decathlete, he is interested in caring pedagogy, inclusive physical education, student belonging, and cross-cultural collaboration. As a 2026-27 Fulbright Global Scholar, Liang will be based at Edge Hill University for the UK phase of his project, 'Caring Pedagogy Across Borders: Advancing Invitational Physical Education in the U.S., U.K., and Japan.' He will investigate how physical education teacher candidates perceive and respond to caring faculty practices, while sharing U.S. physical education standards, the Skill Theme approach, and invitational pedagogy through teaching, seminars, and lectures. Liang looks forward to learning from British approaches to teacher education, working with students, faculty, and local educators, and experiencing the history and everyday culture of northwest England. He hopes the project will strengthen caring and inclusive teacher preparation, generate collaborative publications and presentations, and build pathways for faculty and student exchange among Central Washington, Edge Hill, and international partners.