David Tan

Professor David Tan serves as Co-Director of the Centre for Technology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & the Law and Head (Intellectual Property) at the EW Barker Centre for Law & Business, National University of Singapore (NUS Law). He previously held roles such as Vice Dean (Academic Affairs) and Dean’s Chair at NUS Law. His academic journey includes a PhD, LLB (First Class Hons), BCom from the University of Melbourne, and an LLM from Harvard.

• Education: PhD/LLB/BCom (University of Melbourne); LLM (Harvard University)

His research focuses on personality rights, copyright, trademarks, freedom of expression, and tort law, with over 100 publications in journals like Yale Journal of International Law and Harvard Journal of Sports & Entertainment Law. He authored the book The Commercial Appropriation of Fame (Cambridge University Press, 2017).

Teaching includes pioneering courses such as Entertainment Law, Fashion Law, and Freedom of Speech at NUS Law, alongside roles at the University of Tokyo and University of Hong Kong. He also regularly offers IP & Popular Culture as an intensive since 2014.

Outside academia, David is a renowned fine art and fashion photographer, with works featured in Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and solo exhibitions like “Tainted Perfection” (Cartier) and “Visions of Beauty” (Versace).