Sino-Platonic Papers: A Scholarly Series on China and Central Asia
In the realm of Sinology—the study of Chinese language, history, and culture—few publications have embraced unconventional research as boldly as Sino-Platonic Papers. Established as a scholarly monographic series, this publication serves as a critical bridge for understanding the complex intercultural relations between China, Central Asia, and other global civilizations.
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The Vision and Origins of the Series
Founded in 1986 by Victor H. Mair, Sino-Platonic Papers was created with a specific mission: to provide a platform for research that might be considered unconventional or controversial. By focusing on the work of independent authors and younger scholars who had not yet become well-established in the academic hierarchy, the series sought to expand the boundaries of traditional Asian studies.
The series is published by the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. Its multilingual nature reflects the diverse linguistic requirements of studying the intersection of various ancient and modern cultures.
Evolution of Publication and Open Access
For the first two decades of its existence, Sino-Platonic Papers followed a traditional academic trajectory. Issues 1 (November 1986) through 170 (February 2006) were produced in printed format. However, a significant shift occurred in June 2006 with the release of issue 171, marking the transition to an exclusively electronic publication model.
This move toward open access—the practice of providing unrestricted free access to scholarly research—was seen as a disruptive act in academia. The Warring States Project at the University of Massachusetts Amherst described this transition as an explicit challenge to the "gatekeepers" of academic publishing, aiming to remove barriers to the dissemination of knowledge.
Today, all new issues and out-of-print archives are available for free in PDF format under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.
Key Facts
- Founder: Victor H. Mair.
- Institution: University of Pennsylvania, Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations.
- Established: 1986.
- Primary Focus: Intercultural relations of China and Central Asia.
- Format: Print (Issues 1-170); Electronic only (Issue 171 onwards).
- Access: Open access via Creative Commons license.
Publication Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ISSN (Print) | 2157-9679 |
| ISSN (Web) | 2157-9687 |
| LCCN | 2010203477 |
| OCLC Number | 213506013 |
| ISO 4 Abbreviation | Sino-Platonic Pap. |
| Indexing | CODEN, JSTOR, LCCN, MIAR, NLM, Scopus, W&L |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of Sino-Platonic Papers?
The series focuses on the intercultural relations between China, Central Asia, and other peoples, often highlighting research that is unconventional or controversial.
Who is the editor of the series?
The series is edited by Victor H. Mair.
Is the content of Sino-Platonic Papers free to read?
Yes, the publication is open access. All current and out-of-print issues are provided free of charge in PDF format.
When did the journal stop printing physical copies?
The journal transitioned to an electronic-only format starting with issue 171 in June 2006.
Under what license is the content published?
The content is published under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.