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Introduction to the Association of Chinese Professors
of Social Sciences in the United States (ACPSS)

I. Background and Goals of the ACPSS

The Association of Chinese Professors of Social Sciences in the United States (ACPSS), a Texas-registered and nonp-profit, non-political professional organization, was founded in June 1995 by a group of Chinese professors and researchers of social sciences and humanities residing in North America. The founding board consisted of President Guoqiang Tian (Professor of economics at Texas A&M University), Executive Vice President and General Director Zhaohui Hong (Associate Professor of history at Savannah State College of Georgia), Vice President Lihua Yu (Professor of Sociology at College of Lake County of Illinois), Director of Academic Affairs Keqie Bi (Professor of finance at San Francisco University), Director of Communication Affairs Jixuan Hu (Assistant Professor of management at California State University), Director of Organization Affairs Xiaobing Li (Assistant Professor of history at Central Oklahoma University) and Director of Financial Affairs Guangqiu Xu (Research Fellow of history at University of MaryLand).

The ACPSS aims at (1) promoting and protecting the rights and interests of Chinese scholars of social sciences and humanities who currently hold teaching and research positions in academic institutions in the United States and Canada; (2) encouraging and sponsoring creative interdisciplinary research cooperation among social scientists; (3) pursuing scholarly exchanges among Chinese academics in North America, mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong; (4) advancing the comprehensive development of social sciences in mainland China; (5) supporting China's reform and opening to the World; (6) participating in and coordinating academic exchanges between China and the West; and (7) contributing to China's modernization.

The ACPSS members may come from the following disciplinary specialties: political science, economics, business management, sociology, philosophy, law, history, religion, education, communication, anthropology, archeology, literature, arts, musicology, psychology, geography, linguistics, library science, public administration, women's studies, and other commonly recognized social sciences and humanities fields.

At present the ACPSS has more than 100 founding members and an advisory committee formed by internationally recognized scholars. The most unique and valuable asset of the ACPSS is its membership. Most of the ACPSS members grew up in China and have maintained extensive and intimate connections with China socially and professionally. Having received systematic and rigorous graduate training in North American universities, they all hold regular professorships in academic institutions in North America. An increasing number of them are rapidly gaining professional recognition in their respective fields. Given their Chinese background, Western academic training, and wide range of specialties, this group of Chinese social scientists are uniquely positioned to promote scholarly exchanges between China and the West, develop innovative interdisciplinary projects, coordinate scholarly efforts, and provide useful advice to policy-makers.

As an independent scholarly organization, the ACPSS has quickly gained recognition and support from American and Chinese academic circles and foundations. The ACPSS impact and influence will undoubtedly grow as it unfolds its potential and becomes a vital force in promoting scholarly exchanges between North America and Greater China. The ACPSS will make every effort to develop and maintain cooperative and friendly relations with academic institutions, foundations, and governments in North America, mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Applicants must meet one of the following four criteria:

(1) a doctorate in social sciences and/or humanities from an accredited Western academic institution;

(2) hold an academic appointment, at the assistant professor level or above, in social sciences and/or humanities in a Western academic institution;

(3) hold a regular research appointment, at the research fellow or above, in social sciences and/or humanities in a Western academic institution;

(4) have equivalent professional qualifications to those specified above in one of the three criteria, and with the special approval of the President of the ACPSS.

All members of the ACPSS must observe the bylaws of the ACPSS and pay membership dues.

1. The ACPSS regularly organizes academic exchange missions to mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

2. The ACPSS organizes international academic conferences to bring together scholars from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

3. The ACPSS organizes and coordinates scholarly resources in large-scale multi-disciplinary research projects.

4. The ACPSS holds seminars and workshops in mainland China to train university faculty.

5. The ACPSS helps mainland China's universities to train graduate students.

6. The ACPSS publishes a scholarly multi-disciplinary journal of social sciences and humanities.

7. The ACPSS promotes and protects the legitimate interests and benefits of its members in North America.

8. The ACPSS assists its members in organizing and applying for research projects and funding in North America, mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

9. The ACPSS assists its members in keeping up with the leading edge in their profession in North America, mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

10. The ACPSS assists its members who wish to give lectures and conduct research in China.

11. The ACPSS helps its members to publish monographs and articles.

12. The ACPSS raises research funds to assist its members in conducting research.

13. The ACPSS regularly holds its annual meeting and election for association executive offices.

14. The ACPSS regularly publishes a newsletter for its members.

The ACPSS is managed by a board of directors which consists of president, executive vice president who services as general secretary, vice president, and four members of the board of directors. In addition, the ACPSS appoints one secretary and one treasurer to deal with routine activities and business of the Association.

The ACPSS's funding comes from membership dues, foundation support, and private donations.

The first conference of the ACPSS was held June 16-18, 1995, at the University of Maryland, Maryland. The First Conference accomplished four objectives: (1) addressing China's modernization from a multi-disciplinary perspective, exploring cooperative interdisciplinary research efforts, and publishing papers presented at the conference in both English and Chinese; (2) discussing and approving the by-laws of the Association; (3) discussing and designing the research agenda of the Association for the next several years; (4) electing officers of the Association.

Seven distinguished scholars initiated and operated the ACPSS during the early stages of its history.

(1) Dr. Guoqiang Tian, Professor of Economics at Texas A&M University; Former President of the Chinese Economists Society.

(2) Dr. Zhaohui Hong, Associate Professor of History at Savannah State College of Georgia; Former President of Chinese Historians in the United States.

(3) Dr. Yinyi Qian, Assistant Professor of Economics at Stanford University; Former President of the Chinese Economists Society.

(4) Dr. Shaoguang Wang, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Yale University; Former Vice President of Chinese Association of Political Science and International Relations.

(5) Dr. Minxin Pei, Assistant Professor of Politics, Princeton University.

(6) Dr. Ding Ying, Assistant Professor of Religion at Louisiana State University.

(7) Xi Wang, Assistant Professor of History at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Former President of the Chinese Historians in the United States.

Those who are interested in joining the ACPSS can obtain an application form by click "Membership" link on the ACPSS home page ( http://www.kennesaw.edu/acpss)