The Asia Foundation

Expertise: New Media in development settings; social media platforms and Asia; digital advocacy; elections and election monitoring; digital content production and distribution; local governance issues in South and Southeast Asia.

John Karr is currently the Director of The Asia Foundation's Digital Media Department where he is responsible for leveraging new media's potential as a programming and communications tool for international development. Prior to serving in his current position, John designed and implemented projects in many countries in Asia, including Afghanistan, Cambodia, China, and North Korea. He has worked with a variety of partners including USAID, the United Nations, and the State Department on projects ranging from international election observation missions, media development projects, senior-level U.S.-China bilateral exchanges, and parliamentary development efforts. In addition, John has also produced, written, and directed numerous short and long-form films on Asian development topics; and has served as a technical advisor on film and media projects in Asia, and the United States.

Education: B.A. from the University of California at Santa Cruz in Economics, and a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Washington.