In recent years, spatial integration methods, including geographical information systems, spatial analysis and spatial simulation have been the focus of attention of humanities and social science scholars, especially in the field of applied social sciences (including public policy and planning) using spatial integration methods is the hot topic in many academic conferences and research plans. The methods that are very popular in natural sciences and engineering technology have gradually made an appearance in international humanities and social science research circles and play an important role in subject interconnection.

        The beautiful poetry “From the front you see a ridge, from the side you see the peaks, the peaks all different heights depending on the distance they are viewed from. You cannot see the real mountains unless your destiny is to be in the mountains.” illustrates the importance of spatial distance and geographical position in clearing understanding the things around you, expressing the different interpretations of the same thing by people in different positions and presenting a metaphor for going beyond seeing just a part of a thing to see the whole, the theory that ‘the observer sees clearest” and related theories. In the field of socio-economics, well-known decision-making principles like “take actions that suit local circumstances” provide a basis for policy research through analysis of “place’ spatial relations. Spatio-temporal analysis and simulation methods based on geographical information in local dialect, cultural thought dissemination and city history and genealogy research are becoming more popular.

        The purpose of Harvard’s recently-established Geographical Analysis Center is to promote the application of spatial analysis and GIS in humanities and social science research. The China history and geography information system is the product of cooperation between Harvard and Chinese scholars. The Center for Spatially Integrated Social Science (CSISS) of the University of California Santa Barbara was established and developed with funding from the National Science Foundation to promote the application of GIS technology in various social sciences. University College London’s (UCL) Center for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) has brought together experts in the fields of GIS geography, economics, physics and computer science to carry out research into socio-economic system objective laws in spatio-temporal change and corresponding policy and planning methods.

        For many years, scholars from Taiwan and China and Chinese scholars overseas have hoped to have an opportunity for Spatially Integrated Humanities and Social Sciences research exchange. Scholars from The Chinese University of HK, Beijing University, and National Taiwan University are willing to build the platform for this exchange and the first meeting of the forum is being held at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Colleagues from various quarters are invited to attend.

Topics to be discussed during the meeting:

        Geographical information, geographical information systems, spatial analysis methods, research into and application of spatial simulation methods in the following areas: history, economics, politics, archeology, anthropology, sociology, demography, criminology, urban science, linguistics, landscape, tourism, religion and culture, cultural relics and journalism and other related humanities or social science fields.

Organizing bodies:

Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, History and Geography Research Center, Beijing University

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Department of Geography

National Taiwan University

Important dates:

October 30, 2008 Abstract submission deadline

November 15, 2008 Announcement of accepted abstracts

January 15, 2008 deadline for submission of full paper, conference registration

Conference website: http://www.iseis.cuhk.edu.hk/sihss/

Paper submission website: http://www.iseis.cuhk.edu.hk/wbsrs/author/

Registration fee: HK$ 500(HK$250 for students) Discounted registration fee NT400

                         (HK$ 200 for students)