# Centre de Recherche sur les Civilisations de l'Asie Orientale
**Wikidata**: [Q51780527](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51780527)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centre-de-recherche-sur-les-civilisations-de-l-asie-orientale

## Summary
The Centre de Recherche sur les Civilisations de l'Asie Orientale (CRCAO) is a French research institute dedicated to studying the civilizations of East Asia, established in 2006. As a joint research unit (UMR 8155) affiliated with institutions like the CNRS and Paris Cité University, it conducts interdisciplinary research across history, archaeology, and cultural studies. Headquartered in Paris, it serves as a hub for advancing knowledge on East Asian societies.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 2006 as a French research laboratory (UMR 8155).
- Affiliated with the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), Paris Cité University, École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), and Collège de France.
- Located at 52 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine in the 5th arrondissement of Paris.
- Directed by Matthias Hayek as of the last update.
- Focuses on historical, archaeological, and cultural studies of East Asian civilizations.
- Distinguished from the Centre de Recherches Linguistiques sur l'Asie Orientale (CRLAO), a separate entity.
- Identifiers: VIAF ID 256766307, ROR ID 006gzge74, CNRS UMR 8155, French National Research Structure ID 200612808A.
- Website: https://www.crcao.fr (in French).
- Associated with HAL Structure ID 182988 and WorldCat Entities ID E39QH7Jmp9h8vQKDjJX8qt743F.

## FAQs
### Q: When was the CRCAO established?
A: The CRCAO was founded in 2006 as a joint research unit (UMR 8155) under the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS).

### Q: What organizations is the CRCAO affiliated with?
A: The CRCAO is affiliated with the CNRS, Paris Cité University, École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), and Collège de France. Prior to 2019, it was also linked to Paris Diderot University.

### Q: How does the CRCAO differ from similar research centers?
A: Unlike think tanks or policy-focused institutes, the CRCAO specializes in fundamental research on East Asian civilizations, emphasizing historical, archaeological, and cultural studies rather than contemporary policy analysis.

### Q: Where is the CRCAO located?
A: The institute is based at 52 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France.

### Q: What key identifiers distinguish the CRCAO?
A: The CRCAO is recognized by identifiers such as ROR ID 006gzge74, VIAF ID 256766307, and CNRS UMR 8155, among others.

## Why It Matters
The CRCAO plays a critical role in advancing global understanding of East Asian civilizations through rigorous, interdisciplinary research. By bridging disciplines like history, archaeology, and cultural studies, it addresses gaps in knowledge about societies such as China, Japan, and Korea. Its collaborative structure—uniting major French academic institutions—enables comprehensive scholarship that informs both academic discourse and public engagement with Asian heritage. As a dedicated research unit, it ensures sustained focus on complex, long-term investigations that universities or policy-driven organizations might not prioritize, thereby preserving and interpreting the cultural and historical richness of East Asia for contemporary audiences.

## Notable For
- **Interdisciplinary Focus**: Combines historical, archaeological, and cultural approaches to study East Asian civilizations.
- **CNRS Affiliation**: Recognized as a UMR (Unité Mixte de Recherche) under the French National Center for Scientific Research.
- **Urban Location**: Situated in central Paris, facilitating collaboration with major academic institutions.
- **Distinguished Identity**: Explicitly differentiated from the linguistics-focused CRLAO.
- **Multilingual Scholarship**: Publishes research accessible through its French-language website and international academic networks.

## Body
### Founding and Structure
The CRCAO was established in 2006 as a joint research unit (UMR 8155) under the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). Its founding integrated partnerships with Paris Cité University, École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), and Collège de France, creating a collaborative framework for interdisciplinary research. Prior to 2019, it was also affiliated with Paris Diderot University, reflecting its evolving institutional ties within the French academic landscape.

### Research Focus
The institute specializes in the civilizations of East Asia, encompassing China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Its work spans historical, archaeological, and cultural studies, with an emphasis on textual analysis, material culture, and societal evolution. Unlike think tanks or policy-oriented organizations, the CRCAO prioritizes fundamental research, contributing to academic discourse rather than immediate policy applications.

### Institutional Affiliations
- **CNRS**: As the primary parent organization, the CNRS provides structural and financial support, classifying the CRCAO as UMR 8155.
- **Paris Cité University**: A key academic partner, succeeding Paris Diderot University post-2019 merger.
- **EPHE and Collège de France**: These institutions contribute specialized expertise in humanities and advanced studies, enriching the CRCAO’s research scope.

### Location and Infrastructure
Headquartered at 52 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine in Paris’s 5th arrondissement, the CRCAO benefits from proximity to major cultural and academic institutions. Its address (75231 Paris, France) places it in a historic scholarly district, facilitating access to libraries, archives, and collaborative networks critical to its research mission.

### Governance and Leadership
As of recent updates, Matthias Hayek serves as director, overseeing a team of researchers and scholars. The institute’s governance reflects its multi-institutional identity, balancing contributions from partner organizations to maintain its research agenda.

### Identifiers and Recognition
The CRCAO is cataloged under multiple international identifiers, including:
- **ROR ID**: 006gzge74
- **VIAF ID**: 256766307
- **CNRS UMR**: 8155
- **French National Research Structure ID**: 200612808A
- **HAL Structure ID**: 182988
- **WorldCat Entities ID**: E39QH7Jmp9h8vQKDjJX8qt743F

These identifiers ensure its global recognition in academic databases and networks, enhancing the visibility of its research outputs.

### Distinction from Similar Entities
The CRCAO is explicitly differentiated from the Centre de Recherches Linguistiques sur l'Asie Orientale (CRLAO), which focuses on linguistic studies. This distinction underscores the CRCAO’s broader mandate in historical and cultural research, avoiding overlap with specialized language-centric initiatives.

### Digital Presence
The institute maintains a French-language website (https://www.crcao.fr) that serves as a portal for research announcements, publications, and events. This platform, alongside its HAL structure ID, supports open-access dissemination of scholarly work, aligning with global trends in academic transparency.

### Historical Context
Since its inception, the CRCAO has addressed the growing need for focused, interdisciplinary research on East Asia, a region of increasing geopolitical and cultural significance. Its establishment in 2006 reflects a strategic commitment by French academic institutions to strengthen expertise in non-Western civilizations, fostering cross-cultural understanding through rigorous scholarship.

## References

1. [Source](https://aurehal.archives-ouvertes.fr/structure/182988)
2. [Source](https://archives.humatheque-condorcet.fr/archive/fonds/FRCC_618473)
3. French National Directory of Research Structures
4. HAL
5. ROR release v1.30