Teh-Kuang Chang in Memoriam (1925-2024)

Photo (left to right): Marianne Kneuer (IPSA President, 2018-2021), Teh-Kuang Chang (Founding Chair of IPSA Research Committee on Asian and Pacific Studies), Guy Lachapelle (Secretary-General, 2000-2020). Dr. Chang received a Special Recognition Award at the 2016 IPSA World Congress of Political Science in Poznan, recognizing 40 years of contribution to the Association.

The IPSA family is saddened to learn of the passing of Teh-Kuang Chang, the founder of IPSA Research Committee on Asian and Pacific Studies (RC18), who passed away on 15 January at the age of 98. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones on behalf of IPSA and the global political science community.

Prof. Chang was an Emeritus Professor of Political Science at Ball State University. He was one of the founding professors in the Department of Political Science in 1966 and dedicated 54 years of his life to the institution before retiring in 2020.

Prof. Chang founded IPSA’s Research Committee on Asian and Pacific Studies (RC18) at the 1976 IPSA World Congress in Edinburgh, to expand IPSA’s reach beyond Western states. At the 1979 IPSA World Congress in Moscow, a panel on Asian Studies was organized which formally recognized the Committee on Asian Studies. The IPSA Executive Committee recognized the elevation and expansion of the Committee on Asian Studies to the status of IPSA Research Committee on Asian and Pacific Studies at the 1991 IPSA World Congress in Buenos Aires.

The 2016 IPSA World Congress marked a milestone for the RC18 - Asian and Pacific Studies, which celebrated its 40th anniversary by presenting 15 panels at the World Congress. At the opening ceremony, Prof. Chang was recognized for his 40-year contribution and role in connecting Asian and Pacific countries to the Association. Marianne Kneuer (IPSA President, 2018-2021) and Guy Lachapelle (Secretary-General, 2000-2020) honoured Prof. Chang for his significant role in encouraging young scholars from the world’s largest continent to join IPSA. 

Biography
Teh-Kuang Chang was Professor of Political Science at Ball State University. He earned an M.A. from the University of Washington and a Ph.D. from American University (Washington, DC). He began working at Ball State University in 1966. Prof. Chang taught American Foreign Policy, International Relations, and Asian and Pacific Studies. His research interests included international relations in Asia, U.S.-China diplomatic relations, democratization in China, and constitutional development in China, Mongolia and Tuva. He initiated the International Studies, Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, and African Studies programs at Ball State University. During the 1995-96 academic year, Prof. Chang was a Fulbright Professor who taught at Shanghai International Studies University and lectured at twelve universities and institutes across China. In 2005, he was elected as the President of the International Tuva Studies Association. Prof. Chang travelled to over 70 countries for teaching, research, and participating in academic conferences.