From June 14 to June 16, the International Symposium on “Interdisciplinary and Multidimensional Historical Research: Theories, Methodologies, and Case Studies” was hosted at Henan University (HENU). Nearly 50 experts and scholars attended the conference, representing institutions including the University of Minnesota and Fairfield University (United States), National University of Singapore, and domestic Chinese universities.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Li Qiuye, Deputy Director of the International Affairs Office at HENU. Professor Zhang Ligang, Vice President of HENU, introduced the overview of HENU and emphasized the significance of interdisciplinary and multidimensional historical research. Professor Wei Chuxiong, Emeritus Professor of the University of Macau, stated that the Chinese Historians in the United States (CHUS) has played an important role as a bridge between Chinese and American academic circles. Professor Lu Yang, Director of HENU’s Office of High-Level Talents, presented the HENU’s talent recruitment policies. Professor Qi Chenyun, Dean of HENU’s School of History and Culture, introduced the academic traditions and current development of the School, expressing the hope to strengthen cooperation with the society and all experts. Professor Li Danke, representative of the CHUS, introduced the society and noted that this conference marks an important starting point for enhancing exchanges between the society and HENU.

The keynote speech session was chaired by Professor Hu Hao, Associate Dean of HENU’s School of History and Culture. Professor Zhang Qianhong, Dean of the School of History at Zhengzhou University, analyzed contemporary trends in civilization studies. Chair Professor Wei Chuxiong of HENU redefined concepts of “maritime civilization” and “civilization”. Professor Geng Yuanli, Director of the Henan Institute for Song Dynasty Culture Studies, advocated theoretical reconstruction of Chinese economic history through critical inquiry. Professor Fang Qiang from the University of Minnesota Duluth conducted comparative analysis of Chinese philosophical schools and Western classical culture. Assistant Professor Li Yunxin from Simmons University examined the evolution of nobility systems in the Han dynasty and the concept of “merit”. Professor Min Xiangpeng, Associate Dean of HENU’s School of History and Culture, explored the generation mechanism and construction logic of humanistic semantics in Chinese historical writing.

Parallel sessions featured intensive discussions around five themes: “Fabric of Ancient Societies”, “Practice of Epochal Transformation”, and “Contexts of Global Interaction”. The content covered the origin and evolution of ancient Chinese civilization, national governance and social culture, academic and cultural exchanges between China and the West, as well as the history of regions and countries such as Northeast Asia and the United States. Diverse theoretical perspectives and case studies fully demonstrated the symposium’s theme of “interdisciplinary and multidimensional historical research”.

The closing ceremony was presided over by Professor Hou Xiaojia from San José State University. Lin Mao, Secretary-General of the CHUS, and Du Dan, Director of the Communication Committee, delivered speeches successively. They highlighted that the symposium showcased distinctive interdisciplinary and multidimensional research characteristics, with innovative papers and incisive expert comments, which is of great significance for promoting and deepening HENU’s international academic exchanges in the field of history.