Division of Social and Cultural Studies
The Division of Social and Cultural Studies of Institute of West Asian and African Studies (IWAAS), Chinese Academy of Social Sc-iences (CASS) was establishment in March 2004 by colleagues from the Division of African Studies and the Division of Midd-le East Studies, two well-known research units of IWAAS. Since then, it has been concentrating its research interests on the histor-ies, societies, cultures, ethnic and religious issues in West Asian and African countries, paying attention to basic research, trans-disciplinary and comprehensive studies. The current members are: Dr. Li Zhibiao (Senior Research Fellow), Dr. Li Wengang (Associate Research Fellow), Dr. Liu Naiya (Associate Research Fellow), Dr. Lu Jin (Associate Research Fellow)), Dr. Jiang Mingxin (Associate Research Fellow), Dr. Tong Fei (Assistant Research Fellow), Mr. Ma Xueqing (Assistant Research Fellow) and Dr. Guo Jia (Assistant Research Fellow). Li Zhibiao, first director of the Division, did a lot of constructive work for its establishment. Li Zhibiao and Wang Lincong used to be Division directors during different periods of time; both made remarkable contributions to the development of this Division. Currently, Dr. Li Wengang is in charge of the administrative job.
Members of the Division have their own research specialties, some have chaired or participated in many major research programs entrusted by CASS, IWAAS or other governmental organizations, such as: resources, markets in West Asia and Africa and Chinese economic developments; democratization in Mid-eastern Islamic states; hot issues about Iran; the democratic road of Turkey; racial and ethnic issues in Africa; ethnic and religious issues in Nigeria; religions and politics in Sub-Saharan Africa, to name a few. Meanwhile, members also work as a team to do joint research, currently carrying out a five-year (2009~2013) program entrusted and supported by CASS on Social Developments in West Asia and Africa. The topic in 2012 is civil societies in West Asian and African countries chaired by Dr. Wang Lincong and Dr. Li Wengang. The Social Development research project is open to colleagues from other research divisions of IWASS and scholars from other academic institutions. In answer to the arrangement of Project Innovation of CASS and the reform and development of IWAAS, some members of the Division have done certain timely adjustments to their research interests, hoping to contribute more to China-Africa, China-Middle East friendly relations. The Division of Social and Cultural Studies also plays an important or leading role in country case studies in China on Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Iran, Turkey, Gulf States, Ethiopia, Senegal, Nigeria, DRC, Nigeria, and South Africa.
The Division of Social and Cultural Studies in IWAAS welcomes academic exchanges and cooperation in various forms with research institutions, governmental organizations, universities and individuals of China and abroad that dedicate to West Asian and African social and cultural studies.
Please contact:
Dr. Li Wengang
P.O. Box 1120
Division of Social and Cultural Studies
Institute of West Asian and African Studies
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Beijing, 10007
China
Tel: 86 10 64039162， 86 10 64039023
Fax: 86 10 64035718
E-mail: liwg@cass.org.cn
