The AAS Award for Distinguished Contributions to Asian Studies represents the highest honor the AAS can bestow.

Originally named the “Award for Distinguished Service,” in 1992 it was renamed the “AAS Award for Distinguished Contributions to Asian Studies.” It is intended to honor outstanding scholarship and service to the field. The award follows the same rotational pattern by area that is used for other nominations. The sitting President (corresponding to the council submitting nominations for the award) traditionally has had the most input in determining the award, which ultimately is approved by the AAS Board.

2024 Honoree: Susan Shirk

Susan Shirk is research professor and founding chair of the 21^st Century China Center at the University of California, San Diego. Her distinguished career has spanned the top reaches of government service and academia. She was part of the first group of American scholars to visit China in 1971, during the Nixon-era thawing of U.S.-China relations. A MIT Ph.D. in political science, her five monographs, two edited volumes, and numerous scholarly articles and other writings have had an intellectual impact well beyond China Studies. Susan Shirk is a pioneer in bridging the gap between area studies and the discipline of political science. Two recent books, Overreach: How China Derailed Its Peaceful Rise (Oxford University Press, 2022) and China: Fragile Superpower (Oxford University Press, 2008), are defined by their prescient analysis of China’s politics, leadership, and its evolving role on the world stage.

Susan Shirk excels in teaching and has generously mentored many early career scholars.  Additionally, she has used her China knowledge for government service. From 1997-2000, Dr. Shirk served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs, with responsibility for China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Mongolia. For her intellectual leadership, institution building, and policy contributions, Susan Shirk richly deserves the Distinguished Contributions to Asian Studies Award, the highest honor the AAS can bestow.

Previous Honorees

Full citations for honorees from 1998 to 2018 can be read here.