2012-2013年臺灣史研究的回顧與展望

Taiwan Historical Research in 2012-2013: Retrospect and Prospect

本文以2014 年12 月5-6 日由中央研究院臺灣史研究所、國立臺灣師範大學臺灣史研究所、國立政治大學臺灣史研究所、國立臺灣歷史博物館共同舉辦「2012-2013 年臺灣史研究的回顧與展望研討會」之論文為基礎，整體回顧史料工具類、社會文化史類的教育、體育運動休閒、科技醫療與衛生、宗教、人群關係、口述歷史、文學史等，以及藝術史類的美術、戲劇、建築、舞蹈、音樂等主題之研究成果，內容包括重要論文評論、綜合評析與未來展望等。另有一篇許雪姬教授回顧十年來臺灣史研究的專題演講，本文即建立在所有參與者的基礎上進行撰述。綜觀2012-2013 年臺灣史的研究趨勢可分析如下。以歷史分期來看，研究數量呈現由戰後、日治、清代、荷西時期逐漸遞減之勢；史料應用更加多元並有所突破，除公文書、檔案以外，日記、遊記、文集、圖像、校史、碑刻、音樂、建築、舞蹈、歌仔冊等等，也是取材對象，而數位資料庫、研究網路也使資料搜尋與讀取更加便利。在研究主題上有所拓展，生活、文化、藝術等議題更受重視，開發了不少饒富趣味的新題材；研究方法，則能結合不同領域的地理資訊系統（GIS）、科技與社會研究法（STS）、人類學、文化學、建築修復學等。在研究觀點或角度上，有微觀、有巨視，或敘說主體的易位，或反差性的視角等。再以2004-2013 年長期觀察，臺灣史研究雖然累積不少成果，研究視角擴大、研究空間延伸、議題多樣化，跨界、跨國研究日多，卻也有若干隱憂：其一，政治干擾學術研究，包括政府使用行政命令、調整課綱，還有來自中國的挑戰等；其二，文史學科出路較以往困難，投考臺灣史研究所博、碩士班的人數減少，學生素質不免受到影響；其三，研究瑣碎化或特殊化，加上各種社會學科的侵蝕，不同學科或跨領域如何針對重要議題增強研究對話，仍有待努力。如果能克服這些問題，使危機成為轉機，臺灣史的研究仍深可期許。

Reviewing the essays delivered at the '2012-2013 Conference on Taiwan History Research,' jointly organized by the Institute of Taiwan History, Academia Sinica, National Museum of Taiwan History, the Graduate Institutes of Taiwan History of both National Taiwan Normal University and National Chengchi University, this article classifies the Taiwan history research findings of 2012-2013 into three main categories, namely general works, social culture and arts. The article includes not only important dissertation comments, overall analysis and future outlook, but also a speech made by Professor Hsu Hsueh-Chi on Taiwan history research over the past decade. Analysis of the trends of Taiwan history research in 2012-2013 revealed the following. Regarding the number of studies on different historical periods, the majority of research works have been on the post-war years, followed by the Japanese colonial era, the Qing Dynasty and earlier times under the Dutch and the Spanish. Historical materials have become more diversified and there have been important breakthroughs in their applications. That is, apart from public documents and files, diaries, travel notes, collected literary works, images, school histories, monuments, and arts have now become the source of historical materials. Digital databases and online research have also provided easier access to relevant information. In terms of research themes, cultural history has made great advances and initiated various interesting topics. With regard to research methodology, techniques from different disciplines including geographical information systems (GIS), science technology and society (STS), anthropology, cultural studies, and building restoration have been integrated into historical research. As for research perspectives and points of view, both micro and macro perspectives, displacement of the narrative body, and contrasting views have been adopted. The decade from 2004 to 2013 has seen significant development in Taiwan historical research with expansion in research perspective, extension in research breadth, diversification in topics, as well as an increase in cross-border and transnational studies. However, there are still some hidden concerns. First, academic research came under political interference. Second, applicants for postgraduate studies in historical research were on the decline, also affecting the quality of students. Third, research topics have become very specialized, sometimes too narrow and even trivial. Intense competition and erosion from other social science disciplines also have a negative impact on historical research. Despite all these challenges, efforts in promoting dialogues and cooperation among various disciplines will still infuse hope into the future of Taiwan historical research.