The Institute of Sociology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) was founded on January 18, 1980. Being a national and the largest academic institution in the field of sociology in China, it is the earliest sociological institute after the restoration of sociological research and has been playing an important “think-tank” role. In addition, the Institute is the seat of the administrative agency and secretariat of three national associations – the Chinese Sociology Association, the Chinese Social Psychology Association and the Chinese Social Change Research Association. In the meanwhile, the office location of the first individual-named foundation of sociology – Beijing Lu Xueyi Sociological Development Foundation is also affiliated here. The first Director of the Institute is Professor Fei Hsiao-Tung, the famous sociologist, and his successors are Professor He Jianzhang, Professor Lu Xueyi, Professor Jing Tiankui and Professor Li Peilin respectively. The incumbent Director is Professor Chen Guangjin and the Deputy Directors are Sun Zhuangzhi, Zhang Yi and Zhao Kebin. At present, there are 81 employees in the Institute, including 18 research fellows, 27 associate research fellows and 21 assistant research fellows. Among these research personnel, 58 persons who once graduated from the famous universities at home and abroad have gotten a Ph D, and 6 persons of them have had the Post-Doctoral background.

　　

　　

The Institute of Sociology has 11 research departments, including Social Theory, Family & Gender, Organization & Community, Rural Area & Industrial Sociology, Social Policy, Social Psychology, Juvenile & Social Problem, Social Survey & Methodology, Social Anthropology, Social Development, and Incorrupt Government Studies & Social Assessment. In addition, it also has an Administrative Office and the Department of Scientific Research & Organization (including the information network center).