Founded in 1990, the Conference Group on Taiwan Studies (CGOTS), affiliated with the American Political Science Association, aims to promote Taiwan area studies in the mainstream political science community, to assist Chinese political scientist from Taiwan in their professional development and to facilitate the development and growth of an integrated academic community among ROC political scientists and U.S.-based scholars with a substantial research interest in Taiwan.

GOALS

CGOTS endeavors to promote studies on the theoretical implications of Taiwan's social, economic, political transformation and the changes and continuities of its external relations;

to promote Taiwan studies as an important research area in the international academic community, and specifically as an indispensable element in any respectable curriculum on East Asia;

to facilitate interaction and collaboration between political scientists in the U.S. and R.O.C.;

and to assist young scholars and advanced graduate students in their career development.

PROGRAM

These goals are to be achieved through the sponsorship of panels and roundtables under the broad umbrella of the APSA annual meeting each year;

the support of publication projects;

through the encouragement of other professional activities.

MEMBERSHIP

Eligibility:

A person may become a CGOTS member if he or she pays CGOTS annual membership dues. Student members are exempt from paying membership fees.

Membership Privileges:

Membership enables one to vote for CGOTS coordinator;

to qualify for participation in CGOTS-organized activities;

to qualify for the travel grants and research supports administered through the CGOTS;

and to be listed in CGOTS Membership Directory.

ORGANIZATION

Coordinator:

The Coordinator is the chief executive officer of the CGOTS and the chief representative of the group. The Coordinator is responsible for the preparation of the annual meeting program and of funding proposals. The Coordinator serves a two-year term. At mid-term, the Coordinator for the next term is elected by all the members present at the annual business meeting. Any member, except for the incumbent Coordinator, who is sponsored by five or more members can become a candidate. The candidate who wins the highest votes is elected as Coordinator-elect.

Assistant Coordinators:

During his or her tenure, the Coordinator appoints at least one U.S.-based member and at least one Taiwan-based member as Assistant Coordinators. Assistant Coordinators serve a two-year renewable term. They provide advice and assistance to the Coordinator with respect to annual meeting programs, funding, and other group-wide matters.

Senior Advisors:

The Coordinator may appoint senior political scientists as advisors for the CGOTS.