In recent years, Taiwan has begun to face a number of major challenges, including the effectiveness of governance, a low birth rate and aging population, the loss of industry, sluggish economic growth, problems with industrial upgrading, income inequality, and fiscal constraints. The College of Social Sciences will carry out integrated and systematic research and analysis, providing unique contributions to addressing these challenging issues. The research programs are detailed as follows:

 
I、Public Economics
Taiwan is facing challenges in industrial upgrading and a widening wealth gap. The government’s fiscal role is no longer only as stimulating the economy, it should also pursue the goals of fairness and industrial restructuring. The Public Economics Research Center at the College of Social Sciences acts as an integrated platform for academia, politics, and industry to apply research and policy analysis to produce a comprehensive picture of Taiwan’s current economic problems across issue areas such as taxation, public debt, and the fiscal balance.
 
II、Ageing Society
In recent years, Taiwan has been facing a declining birth rate and ageing society. At present, this trend shows no signs of abating, and now presents an urgent challenge. Because elderly people are generally considered as requiring support, the question of how to allocate social welfare to provide effective assistance for elderly people in the context of fiscal constraints has become a pressing issue. A number of faculty members of the College of Social Sciences have become involved in research on the ageing society. In the future, we hope to use this strength to influence policy on the ageing society.
 
III、Family and Children/Adolescents
Issues involving families and children/adolescents as a result of socioeconomic changes, including low birth rates, domestic violence, and drug abuse among young people are analyzed by a team of researchers with both theoretical and practical expertise in collaboration with professional social workers with front line experience. The outcome of this research will provide practical policy solutions.
 
IV、Risk Policy
Disputes, conflict, and a lack of trust between the government, business, and civil society on food safety crises, environmental pollution, and various social issues have caused problems to snowball, making solutions even harder to come by. The College of Social Sciences is focusing its efforts on researching the transition to a low carbon economy, which is extended to four sub-themes: “climate change and energy transition,” “innovative low carbon economy,” “food safety,” and “new social risk.” The outcomes of the research will provide a reference for policy makers, and will be translated into knowledge that is easily understood by government, businesses, and citizens, breaking down barriers between academia and society, and strengthening risk communication.
 
V、European Union
The College of Social Sciences is responsible for the developing the European Union Centre in Taiwan, promoting and deepening research on the European Union, developing exchanges between the two sides, and participating in EU research networks. We hope to expand exchanges between European Union centers both in East Asia and across the globe, becoming the most important center for research on the European Union in the Chinese speaking world, and advancing civil society exchanges between the two sides.
 
VI、Public Governance
The Taiwan Public Governance Research Center at the College of Social Sciences brings together teaching and research talent on government and public affairs from within the Department of Political Science. The Center aims to acts a bridge between academia, government, industry, and civil society, promoting teaching and research activities on government and public governance in Taiwan, mainland China, and other countries.