Late this Spring, Dr. Katherine Kaup, a Political Science professor specializing in the politics of Asia, and chair of Furman's Asian Studies Department, was chosen along with 19 others "of the best and brightest from among the younger generation of American China scholars" for the 2008-2010 Public Intellectuals Program by the National Committee on United States-China Relations.

"Fellows [of the program] are required to commit to attend an annual conference to be held in Washington, D.C. this year and next, a weekend meeting in San Francisco in between, and a group trip to China at some point in the next two years. In addition, each participant is required to organize a public education program in his/her geographic or professional community and may have the opportunity to accompany a National Committee-sponsored delegation (either from or to China) during the next three years."

"This ambitious, multi-year program is designed to identify outstanding members of
the next generation of American China scholars, enrich their understanding of policy-making processes in both the United States and China, help them establish useful relationships with their academic colleagues and with policy practitioners, and nurture their ability to engage in public policy debates, on a national, regional and local level. PIP (Public Intellectuals Program) is implemented through a series of interlocking programs, including Washington policy seminars, study tours of China, participation in National Committee delegations as scholar escorts and support for public education initiatives."

For more information, go to the National Committee's website for the PIP at http://www.ncuscr.org/pip