Major research funding awarded to SOAS Centre of Taiwan Studies

SOAS, University of London has signed its 10th major agreement with Taiwan, solidifying a commitment to expand the SOAS Taiwan Studies Programme from 2024 to 2027 on 18 October.

The research grant includes funding for the SOAS Taiwan Studies Programme’s small research seminars, policy related events, large annual lectures, film screenings, postgraduate summer school, international workshops, and research publication projects. The signing ceremony was held at SOAS and the agreement was signed by the Taiwan Representative to the United Kingdom Vincent Yao and the SOAS Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Habib.

The SOAS Taiwan Programme was established in 1999 and has rapidly expanded over the last twenty five years, developing the reputation as the world’s leading Centre of Taiwan Studies. It now hosts the only MA in Taiwan Studies and the most extensive range of Taiwan related teaching modules. 

From just holding a handful of Taiwan Studies events a year in its early period, SOAS now hosts the most extensive academic events programme of any European university, often holding  over 60 events a year. It has also become a leading promoter of Taiwan Studies publications through the Taiwan book series established in 2009 and the International Journal of Taiwan Studies, edited by its Research Associate Ming-yeh Rawnsley.

Speaking after the ceremony, Centre of Taiwan Studies Director Professor Dafydd Fell, commented, ‘This is a special moment in the history of Taiwan Studies at SOAS. This year we are celebrating the twenty fifth anniversary of the establishment of our programme. 

This new research grant comes just a couple of months after we signed a similar agreement to support the SOAS Taiwan Studies teaching programme. I first joined SOAS as a student in 1999 and so I’ve been able to witness the remarkable growth of not only our programme at SOAS but also European Taiwan Studies.’

(Image via SOAS Centre of Taiwan Studies)