On December 9, Academia Sinica announced the recipients of the 2024 Early-Career Investigator Research Achievement Award. Dr. Cheng-Heng Lu, Assistant Professor of Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), received the prestigious honor in the Humanities and Social Sciences category, recognizing his exceptional contributions to academic research.
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Dr. Lu’s groundbreaking work in the “New Qing Maritime History” employs newly discovered historical materials and interdisciplinary research methods. His research bridges global breadth and local depth, fostering dialogue with international academia while shedding light on Taiwan’s historical transformations, geographical shifts, and connections to world history. This innovative approach underscores the profound significance of Taiwan’s evolving role in historical and global contexts.
Explaining his research focus, Dr. Lu stated that his work centers on maritime history and Taiwan’s history, supported by studies in Qing history, environmental history, and historical anthropology. He aims to explore how human societies have historically perceived, understood and utilized the ocean for diverse purposes, such as empire-building, knowledge expansion, and cartography.
Dr. Lu’s research spans three key dimensions, offering a comprehensive exploration of maritime history. First, he delves into Maritime Knowledge and Empire Building, utilizing Manchu archival materials to uncover how the Qing Empire redefined its maritime knowledge system through mapmaking, integrating this understanding into governance and cultural narratives. His comparative studies reveal how neighboring nations developed their own maritime knowledge systems, emphasizing the global interconnectedness of historical perspectives.
Second, he situates Taiwan in a Global Context, examining its history within the broader framework of Qing-related international issues and providing fresh insights into Taiwan’s role in historical scholarship.
Finally, his work on Maritime Environmental History employs interdisciplinary methods to analyze challenges faced by Qing soldiers crossing the Taiwan Strait, the imperial responses to maritime risks, and local knowledge reconstruction. Through fieldwork along Taiwan’s western coastline, including studies of stone weirs, Dr. Lu sheds light on the dynamic interactions between human societies and the ocean in coastal environments.
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Summing up his work, Dr. Lu emphasized his goal to center his research on maritime history, bringing historical narratives to life through compelling storytelling rooted in archival exploration.
Grateful for the mentors and colleagues who have supported him, Dr. Lu expressed his hope that his journey will inspire interdisciplinary learners and those facing challenges: “Persevere and pursue your dreams. This award is not a mark of completion but a reminder to stay diligent and strive to catch up with the trailblazing scholars who inspire me.”
The Early-Career Investigator Research Achievement Award is a national accolade established to recognize young scholars who demonstrate innovation and depth in their academic fields. Over its 28-year history, the award has inspired countless early-career researchers.
Thus, this honor is not only a testament to Dr. Cheng-Heng Lu’s personal achievements but also reflects the university’s aspirations to continue driving academic innovation and fostering diverse research. It underscores NYCU’s commitment to empowering faculty members to showcase their excellence in various disciplines.
