The application of the National Social Science Fund Project is coming soon. In order to help the majority of young and senior scholars to effectively increase the success rate of project application and enhance scientific research capabilities, the School of Foreign Studies of UPC held the “Second National High-end Forum on Social Science Fund Project Application”, with nearly 2,000 experts, scholars, masters and doctors from universities across the country participating online. Professor Cao Yingchang, vice president of UPC, delivered a welcome speech. Professor Cao briefly introduced the basic situation University and the School of Foreign Studies' and gave a warm welcome and sincere thanks to all experts and scholars for their enthusiastic participation. He expressed that the University made major adjustments to the discipline layout in the last semester. In the future, it will further optimize the humanities structure around the national energy strategy, economic development and promotion of superior disciplines. Researcher Zhang Yongning, secretary of the School Party Committee presided over the opening ceremony.
This conference includes seven themed lectures. Professor Li Yujun of Liaoning Normal University, Professor Zhang Wenzhong of Nankai University, Professor Liang Xiaobo of National University of Defense Technology, Professor Xia Dengshan of Beijing Foreign Studies University, Professor Huang Zhonglian of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Professor Xiang Mingyou of University of International Business and Economics, Professor Huang Guowen of South China Agricultural University gave keynote speeches successively during the forum. The lectures were hosted by Professor Chen Guoxing of Qilu University of Technology, Professor Bian Jianhua of Qingdao University, Professor Nan Xie from Linyi University and Professor Mao Haoran of China University of Petroleum.
National Social Science Fund Project Application and Interdisciplinary Research: Professor Li Yujun first introduced the categories of National Social Science Fund Projects, and detailed the application time and processes of various projects. Subsequently, Professor Li explained the National Social Science Fund Project’s entire application process from different aspects such as topic selection, preliminary research, budgeting, projecting disciplines, etc. She especially emphasized that the innovation in topic selection is directly related to the success of application. In addition, taken her National Social Science Fund Project (A Study on the Conflict and Fusion between National Customary Laws in the Liao, Jin and Yuan Dynasties) as an example, she further pointed out the matters for project declaration do’s and don’ts.
What do the judges focus on? What do the judges expect? : As a communication reviewer, Professor Zhang Wenzhong shared his experience from four aspects and explained them in detail the expectations of the communication reviewers in terms of the subject title, the unique academic value and application value of the subject, the research object and overall framework, key and difficult points, etc. In line with expectations, he thoroughly analyzed the selection process after project declaration from both objective and subjective aspects, and proposed to avoid some problems, including long-form discussions, exaggerated values, unclear logic, and unobtrusive key and difficult points. Taking his projectas an example, he deeply analyzed the key points of the project declaration, providing helpful reference and encouraged everyone to try persistently despite failures. Refining it makes good steel.
Thoughts and Suggestions on the Application and Promotion of Major National Social Science Projects: Professor Liang Xiaobo cited from his personal experience and elaborated on the main project categories and the basic requirements of the National Social Science Fund major projects, the basic process of project application and promotion. Prof. Liang especially emphasized that we should pay attention to project submission and gave specific suggestions from the chief expert, major topic selection, direction experts, and direction members. He suggested that everyone should plan ahead and focus more on the frontier when applying for projects. Prof. Liang also pointed out that teachers should take scientific research as their lifelong goal and find pleasure rather than take it as a ladder to titles. He encouraged teachers to challenge themselves and the authority bravely.
How is the social science fund “refined”?: Started from his personal experience in applying for the National Social Science Fund Project, Professor Xia Dengshan summarized the reasons for the failure of the project application. Based on this, he shared the experience in applying for National Social Science Fund Projects with colleagues from the following three aspects. In terms of the preliminary preparations, Professor Xia proposed that attention should be paid to strengthening academic accumulation, discovering research gaps, and fully understanding the project to be applied for. Regarding the design of the application form, he emphasized that the range of selected topics should be appropriate, the content should be closely relevant to the theme, and the format should be perfect. In the end, Professor Xia suggested that everyone should revise the application repeatedly and persistently, holding the right attitude and a long-term vision on the research.
On the Topic Selection of Scientific Research Projects: Professor Huang Zhonglian likens the “topic selection process of scientific research project” to the “refining process of blue and white porcelain”, vividly expounding the formation process of an excellent topic selection of scientific research project . Based on case analysis, he introduced in detail the topic structure characteristics of scientific research projects. Professor Huang emphasized the accuracy, dynamics, and de-redundancy of scientific research project topics, and pointed out that scientific research projects should adhere to the principles of bold imagination and careful refinement.
Social Science Research with Love and Hatred: Professor Xiang Mingyou talked about “Why do we need scientific research”, and explained issues such as “how to research”, “relationship between scientific research and social science projects”, and “how to apply for and complete social science projects”. He believed that teaching without scientific research support is superficial, and scientific research without teaching support is vague. Therefore, teachers should accumulate speculation, and persist in scientific research from language and humanities. Scientific research is the foundation of social science projects, and social science projects are the support and grasp of scientific research, as well as a way to test scientific research capabilities. When talking about how to apply for social science projects, he proposed to grasp both the macro and micro elements. Macro factors include scientific research experience, preliminary results, topic selection requirements, etc., while micro factors include language, logic, and knowledge systems.
Academic Research and Project Application: Professor Huang Guowen started the topic with the two keywords of academic research and project application, analyzing the relationship between research and project, and stating that academic research is the basis of project application. Professor Huang took his own academic research path as an example to impart relevant experience on how to do research. He emphasized that topic selection is the key to the project application, requiring unique characteristics and highlights. It is supposed to be able to serve national decision-making, industry development or social practice. Researchers should be capable of seizing research hotspots, grasp academic frontiers, and be familiar with research background based on personal preference and abilities. It is necessary to have a clear viewpoint of “What suits you is the best” and the fighting spirit despite repeated setbacks.
After the seminar, Dean Mao Haoran made a brief summary at the closing ceremony. He sincerely thanked all the experts for their well-prepared lectures, and shared his four tips. First, scholars should be problem-conscious and problem-oriented, and solutions should be provided when problems rose; Second,we should strive for being respectable scholars. We ought be strict to ourselves instead of being strict to others; Third, scholars should win respect through their overall strength, making contributions before seeking support,advocate opinions with facts, and avoid empty talks; Fourth, scholars should choose a proper path and strive to be “scud” with a fighting attitude.
The peak number of participants in the high-end forum was nearly 2,000. The forum's successful completion provided ample experience for peer participants in applying for the National Social Science Fund Project, and provided direction and guidance for our University’s next step in the application. The forum is significant to further promote the construction and development of UPC and accelerate the upgrading of the humanities and social sciences’ structure.
