The UH Mānoa Center for Chinese Studies announces the Fifth Hawai‘i International Conference on Chinese Studies (HICCS) to be held at UH Mānoa on January 6-8, 2027. Co-sponsored by the College of Education, the HICCS welcomes interdisciplinary proposals engaging Chinese societies, global challenges, and shared human futures.
Call for Proposals (Chinese and English Bilingual) Deadline: March 31, 2027
INTRODUCTION
Hawai‘i International Conference on Chinese Studies (HICCS) brings together scholars, researchers, educators and professionals from a wide range of fields in Chinese Studies to present papers on various aspects of Chinese culture and society in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and among overseas Chinese societies. The goal of HICCS is to create an interdisciplinary platform for our understanding of the past, present, and future of Chinese societies addressing issues within China and in Chinese communities throughout the world. Honolulu is a vibrant city in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Its central location provides a meeting point where researchers and scholars within various disciplines of Chinese Studies can meet, discuss, and network with their counterparts around the globe.
The Fifth Hawaii International Conference on Chinese Studies (HICCS 2027) aims to encourage solidarity for humanity in the age of deglobalization. In recent years, neoliberal globalization has given way to authoritarian populism, causing further ideological polarization and social fragmentation, which have further divided the world along the lines of race, class and citizenship. Globalization, while bringing countries closer, especially since the end of WWII, has also created the counterforce of deglobalization which is characterized by national protectionism and a retreat from global integration. Chinese societies, while grappling with its domestic challenges, are navigating an evolving relationship with both global governance structures and their own rich cultural traditions.
Humanity needs solidarity to survive and thrive, and we seek to unite, to collaborate, and to improve understanding of one another and to make changes for the better. In the current geopolitical context, the humanities—and Chinese Studies in particular—assume particular significance. They not only deepen our understanding of cultural, historical, and philosophical dimensions but also serve as critical frameworks for cross-cultural dialogue, international policy reflection, and the cultivation of global solidarity in an era of uncertainty. This conference seeks to explore how Chinese societies, with their unique blend of cultural heritage, historical experiences, and socio-political realities, can contribute to and reshape the global dialogue. For example, what is the role of Chinese societies and culture, past and present, during those times of crisis and uncertainty? What are the ethical and cultural foundations of solidarity for humanity? And what is the role of the humanities and social sciences in navigating these challenges, especially in critical times when the stakes for ecological and societal survival are higher than ever?
We invite scholars, practitioners, and activists to engage in dialogues about the opportunities and challenges within not just China but Chinese societies at large. We welcome proposals from across disciplines, regions, and methodologies, particularly those focusing on the intersection of Chinese studies and current affairs, as well as those exploring the interplay of humanities and Chinese societies.
TOPICS
• Anthropology
• Art/Art History/Architecture
• Business/Finance/Marketing
• Cultural Studies/Literature
• Economics
• Education
• History
• Journalism/Communication
• Language/Linguistics
• Law and Legal Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Science/International Relations
• Psychology
• Religion
• Sociology
• Theater/Music/Performance Studies
COMMITTEE
Chair: Baoyan Cheng, Professor, College of Education
Co-Chair: Ming-Bao Yue, Director, Center for Chinese Studies
Director: Ni Zhang, Associate Director, Center for Chinese Studies
Committee Members:
Kate Lingley, Associate Professor, Art and Art History Department
Hong Jiang, Associate Professor, Geography and Environment Department
PAPER SUBMISSION
Papers may address one or more of the listed topics in Chinese Studies. Participants must submit a paper title, an abstract (maximum 200 words), and a proposal (up to 1,000 words or 1,500 Chinese characters). Please do not include your name or affiliation in the proposal, as all proposals will undergo a double-blind review by two reviewers. If your proposal is accepted, the abstract you submitted will be used in the conference program.Co-presenters are permitted in the case of co-authored research. The paper submission must make the identities of all participants clear and indicate who will be presenting the paper. Upon acceptance, each presenter must register for the conference separately and pay the full registration fee.
Participants are also encouraged to organize panels around a shared theme; in such cases, each participant must submit an individual proposal and indicate the common panel topic in their proposal. The conference reviewers will evaluate each paper in the panel individually, and only those whose papers are accepted will be eligible to present in the panel session.
We will use EasyChair conference management system for paper submission. Please click on this link and following the paper submission instructions on the website to submit your paper. If you have an account with EasyChair, you may log into your account and submit your paper. If you do not have an account with EasyChair, you will be prompted to create an account with EasyChair. You will need to provide your name, email, affiliation, and country to create the account. If your paper is selected, the information you provide to EasyChair will be used in the conference program.
REGISTRATION
- Registration for HICCS will open on August 15, 2026.
- Early Bird Rate (paid by October 15, 2026): US $295
After October 15, 2026: US $335 - Conference opening reception is included with the registration fee.
- Optional lunch order $15/day can be placed during the registration.
- Refunds can be returned (minus a US $25 service fee) for requests on or before November 1, 2026. After November 1, 2026, no refunds will be allowed.
