CHINA ANTHROPOLOGICAL
INQUIRY CONFERENCE (CAIC)

Embark on Your Journey of uncovering the Anthropological Wonders!

The China Anthropological Inquiry Conference (CAIC) was founded by high school students from Shenzhen College of International Education (SCIE), Guangzhou Basis, Huafu International(HFI), and Guangzhou Foreign Language School International Department (GDUFS), a platform of academic exchanges open to all teenagers (junior and senior high school students) who are interested in anthropology.

The purpose of the conference is to promote scholars' interest in anthropology and to explore the many facets of human beings, societies, and cultures.

With reference to the standard form of fieldwork in the humanities, the conference will provide scholars with opportunities for academic exchanges in the humanities and social sciences in the form of offline field research and academic lectures.

The First Anthropological Conference

for High Schoolers In China

Our Vision

About CAIC

CAIC, the China First Anthropology Conference for High Schoolers, was established with the vision of creating a platform for students and scholars to exchange ideas, explore diverse perspectives, and promote cultural understanding. Our commitment to academic excellence and cross-cultural dialogue drives our efforts in organizing impactful formal events that enrich the academic community.

2023

Year of Establishment

Conferences Hosted

20+

Cooperative Societies

20+

Participating High schools

Muqi Li

Executive Director, CAIC

Conference Objectives

The China Anthropological Inquiry Conference aims to bring together scholars and enthusiasts from across China to explore the many facets of human culture, society, and evolution, encouraging participants to present their groundbreaking research and challenge existing paradigms. Through engaging discussions, innovative presentations, and constructive criticism, the human discipline is pushed forward.

Conference Format

The conference is organized in the form of a forum, with thematic sessions on a variety of topics, offline field trips, discussions, research and panel presentations, etc., encouraging the exchange of ideas.

Intended Audience

High schoolers across the country who love the humanities.

Conference Agenda

The opening keynote address will be delivered by a special guest.

Students will form their own teams and will be led to their destination by their teacher. They will then return to the venue to prepare their presentations.

After the group presentations, there will be a critique and questioning session by the judges. The teacher will ask questions based on the content of the group's submissions as a criterion. After all the group presentations, the site will enter the group academic exchanges and discussions.

Each group will have 13 -- 20 minutes for presentation and 15 minutes for academic exchange.

Field Investigation

Irrespective of the population or geographic location, embark on a genuine fieldwork journey by engaging directly with the individuals and communities that pique your interest. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and enriches the research experience through authentic interactions.

Food Culture and Transformation

Food culture is an integral part of cultural identity and expression. The ways in which communities share and consume food often reflect historical traditions, values and social norms that reflect adaptation and change over time. Examining changes in food preferences, cooking techniques, and eating habits provides insight into how cultures adapt to new environments and external influences.

Research Focus: How eating habits reflect ethnic cultural diversity and economic patterns

Housing and Economic Disparities

Economic disparities are a fundamental aspect of social stratification, revealing the mechanisms that lead to the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities and privileges in society. Class structures often lead to the centralization or decentralization of power in society, which in turn affects individuals and communities. Housing and urban planning are closely linked to economic disparities and social inequalities. Explore and analyze how economic factors affect the availability, affordability and quality of housing. In addition, urban areas often attract immigrants and expatriates seeking economic opportunities. Explore how these groups navigate urban landscapes, adapt housing practices, and maintain cultural identities, as well as the challenges and opportunities immigrants face in urban settings.

Research Focus: Analyze how economic disparities are manifested in urban landscapes and affect social structures.

Immigration and Identity Formation

Diaspora communities contribute significantly to cultural diversity. The study of these communities provides insights into the complexity of multicultural societies by exploring how different cultures interact, merge and develop in new environments.

Research Focus: Explore the spatial dynamics of diaspora communities. Analyze how these communities shape urban space and their role in shaping cultural practices and community identity.

Customs and Cultural Heritage Preservation

In culturally diverse communities, rituals symbolize the unique transmission of cultural identity and play a crucial role in the distinctive identities of different cultural groups within the community.

Research Focus: The Role of Rituals in the Cultural Identity of Diverse Communities

CAIC Organizing Committee has established several study groups to serve as reference points for this purpose:

Perhaps you have observed and wondered about the “life” story of the group of painters in Dafen Oil Painting Village, the “First Village of Oil Painting in China”. In the age of industrialization, what kind of people are producing and selling oil paintings for what reasons? How do their personal and family life histories influence their values and the meaning of their work? Urbanization has brought about an increasingly fine-grained division of labor, and the old social organization based on factors such as kinship and local ties is slowly being broken down. How do people living in urban villages continue their lifestyles and concepts in this social context? What kind of public psychology is reflected behind the rise and fermentation of Shenzhen's Dongmen “live street”? What are the potential effects and impacts of this “Netflix” craze on society? How is the phenomenon of “Sanhe Daxin” shaped by the inherent changes in the body of labor? ................

Expected Outcomes

Participants will present in small groups to share their experiences and insights derived from the field trip. Presentations may be conducted in either Chinese or English and are expected to last between 10 to 15 minutes. Visual aids, such as PowerPoint presentations and posters, are encouraged to enhance the delivery of content. Additionally, it is imperative that all quotations be properly cited during the presentation to uphold academic integrity.

Attained Achievements

Selected groups will have the opportunity to receive monetary awards ranging from 600 to 2500 RMB, with a total prize pool exceeding 10,000 RMB.
Participants will also have the chance to connect with like-minded peers who share similar academic interests within an immersive scholarly environment.
Attendees can look forward to exquisite refreshments and catering throughout the conference, along with the issuance of certificates of participation.
Participants will receive exclusive CAIC merchandise and complimentary tea breaks.

Conference Fees

Participants: 200 RMB per person
Auditors: 50 RMB per person

Note:

The registration fee for participants includes academic guidance fees, venue costs, certification fees, and complimentary souvenirs. The auditor fee covers venue expenses and free memorabilia.
Please be advised that the fees do not include transportation, accommodation, or meal expenses during the conference.
If registration fees are not paid by two weeks before the conference (inclusive), the participant will forfeit their registration status.
The organizing committee reserves the right for final interpretation of these terms.

Our Offerings

We Provide Comprehensive

Pre-Conference Sources to Fulfill Your Anthropological Needs

At CAIC, we are dedicated to delivering exemplary academic sources specifically designed to meet the distinctive requirements of formal gatherings. Prior to the conference, the organizing committee will facilitate online field survey courses and materials for participating scholars. We invite all individuals with an interest in anthropology, regardless of prior experience, to engage in this opportunity. Our commitment to fostering meaningful connections and creating impactful experiences ensures that each event is conducted with the utmost precision and professionalism.

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