The CSCC Outstanding Faculty Scholar Award is presented to a member of the DKU faculty who demonstrates the exceptional standards of excellence in their research, scholarship, creative projects, and contributions to the field of contemporary China studies. The scholar receives USD 500 in research funding and a certificate attesting to this award.

Eligibility:

• All full-time DKU faculty members affiliated with the CSCC.
• Faculty need to have completed at least two years of full-time service at DKU.
• Nominations need to be based on research activity conducted as DKU faculty. Scholarly work completed before joining DKU will not be considered.
• CSCC funding is not a prerequisite for nomination.
• No individual may receive the award more than once within three years.

Nomination Process:

• A formal letter of nomination need to be submitted by an individual or a group of full-time DKU faculty members. Self-nominations are common and welcome.
• The letter should be submitted as a PDF, addressed to the CSCC Award Committee, and emailed to Ms. Chi Zhang, senior program coordinator of the CSCC.
• The letter of nomination should describe the research originality, contribution, methodology, communication —through scholarly publications and beyond—, and evidence of engagement in advancing research on China’s politics, society, and economy through active participation in conferences, collaboration beyond DKU, invited talks, and other relevant scholarly activities.
• All nominees will be contacted and asked to submit an up-to-date CV and publications.

Important Dates for AY 25/26:

Nomination Letter Submission Deadline: April 13, 2026
Submission of supporting materials: April 16, 2026
Notification of Recipient: The recipient will be announced by the end of the academic year

Criteria for Selection:

The recipient is selected by the CSCC Award Committee consisting of faculty representatives from the research clusters and faculty members from Duke University. The recipient of the CSCC Outstanding Faculty Scholar Award will be selected based on the following four criteria:

1. Research Originality: The extent to which the research demonstrates novelty and critical thinking within the context of contemporary China studies.
2. Research Contribution: Evidence of the research’s impact on advancing knowledge of China’s economy, politics, and society, and potential for broader societal, policy, or academic relevance.
3. Research Methodology: Rigor and effectiveness of the research process, including the use of appropriate methodologies and qualitative, quantitative, or other data analysis techniques.
4. Research Communication: Evidence of presenting and disseminating the research findings coherently and engagingly in writing, oral presentations, and through other means. .
5. Participation in the Field: Evidence of the nominee’s active engagement in advancing research on China’s society, politics, and economy through active participation in conferences, domestic and international research collaborations, invited talks, and other relevant activities.

The CSCC Outstanding Faculty Scholar Award celebrates the extraordinary scholarly achievements of our faculty members, inspiring a culture of research excellence and fostering a vibrant academic community dedicated to the advancement of contemporary China studies.