Dear colleagues,

You are invited to attend the launch conference of the Scottish Centre for
Chinese Social Science Research on Friday 6 June in the Sir Charles Wilson
Building, University of Glasgow. The conference will be be followed on
Saturday 7 June by a launch workshop for the the Centre's Postgraduate
Network, Adam Smith Building, University of Glasgow, to which your graduate
students are invited.

The Scottish Centre for Chinese Social Science Research, established in
August 2007, brings together China researchers across a range of social
science disciplines in Scottish universities. An important part of its
mission is to promote understanding of contemporary China by making the very
best research accessible to the community in Scotland and the wider UK (see
www.gla.ac.uk/sccssr).

The conference is free and open to all. It gives university staff, students
and members of the wider community an opportunity to hear distinguished
international specialists speak on the implications of China's growing
global influence. Afternoon roundtable discussions will focus on the Beijing
2008 Olympics and China's Energy and Environmental Politics. Please feel
free to forward this message to any who might be interested.

The postgraduate network workshop aims to bring together students doing
doctoral research in the social sciences of China. Research panels will
enable students to present on their work to their peers in a supportive
environment. Other sessions provide social science-focussed research
training, including advice on doing fieldwork, ethics, developing effective
collaborations with Chinese researchers, and on careers in the social
sciences of China. While aimed particularly at postgraduate research
students in Scottish Universities, the network and workshop are open to
participation from postgraduates across the UK. Some funding is available to
cover travel expenses of students who present papers, with priority given to
those who register early.

Further details of both events are set out below and in attachments to this
message. For more information and to register for the conference and/or
workshop please email [log in to unmask]

I do hope that you and your postgraduate students will be able to attend
what promise to be lively and interesting events.

Yours sincerely,


Jane Duckett
Professor of Chinese & Comparative Politics
Director, Scottish Centre for Chinese Social Science Research
+44 (0)141 330 2871/5980
http://www.gla.ac.uk/sccssr

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------

Launch Conference: 'China as a global player: the Beijing Olympics and
beyond', Friday 6 June, 10am-4pm
Sir Charles Wilson Building, University of Glasgow

The morning session (10am - 12.45 midday) consists of a keynote lecture,
'China as Global Culture' by Professor David SG Goodman, University of
Technology Sydney, followed by two lectures on the implications of China's
global rise to influence: Professor Guan Xinping of Nankai University
(China) on 'Social Change in a Globalizing China' and Professor Ian Taylor,
University of St Andrews on 'China's Changing International Relations'.
There will be an opportunity to ask questions after each lecture.

The afternoon session (2-4pm) will consist of two simultaneous Roundtable
panels, on on the Beijing 2008 Olympics and one on China's Energy and
Environmental Politics.
Further details of the conference are attached, along with biographies of
the keynote speakers.


Postgraduate Network Launch, Saturday 7 June, 10am-5pm plus evening
drinks/buffet reception
Venue: T 316, Adam Smith Building, University of Glasgow

The morning session (10am - 12.45pm) consists of a talk (and opportunity for
questions) by Professor David SG Goodman on his long experience of doing
social science, and simultaneous research panels consisting of presentations
by graduate research students.

The afternoon session (2-5pm) consists of sessions on Chinese Social Science
Research Methods, Ethics and Collaboration Strategies, and Pursuing
Successful Careers in Chinese Social Science.

There will be a buffet and drinks reception from 5-7pm in the Postgraduate
Research Club to which all participants are welcome.