The Department of Transnational Asian Studies is pleased to announce the continuation of its annual student research paper competition, showcasing innovative scholarship and original insights on Chinese-speaking or Chinese diasporic communities. The competition is open to all undergraduate students. Topics and areas of exploration may include, but are not limited to: anthropology, art history, the arts, economics, gender, history, literature, medicine, politics, race, sexuality, society, and technology. Papers must be a minimum of 1,500 words and a maximum of 2,000 words. The deadline for submission is March 31, 2026. Students who are interested in participating may submit their papers using the Google Form linked below. Winners will receive cash prizes in the amount of $500.
This competition is sponsored by the Taiwan Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Please contact Dr. Meng Yeh (myeh@rice.edu) for further questions.
2025 Winners

Aolun Wanyan, “Understanding Chinese Poetry with Astronomy”

Diana Liu Rudel, “Beyond Terracotta: Bronze Artifacts from the First Emperor’s Mausoleum”