On April 28, 2023, IHSS presented the 100th Weiming Scholar Lecture, along with a commemorative ceremony. Assistant Professor Deng Zhenhua (School of Archaeology and Museology, Peking University) delivered a lecture on Agriculturalization and Early China. Scholars and guests, including Vice President of PKU Sun Qingwei, Vice General Manager of AEGON-INDUSTRIAL Foundation Qin Jie, Vice President of Sun Yat-sen University and Weiming Scholar Lecture speaker Xie Shi, and IHSS Executive Committee member Li Meng, gathered for the event.

Professor Deng highlighted the significance of agriculture as one of the most crucial transformations in human history. Since Childe proposed the theory of the Neolithic Revolution, research on the origin of agriculture has garnered widespread attention and has been grouped alongside the three major origin questions concerning human and civilization origins. Chinese civilization is a prime example of an agricultural civilization, making the exploration and reconstruction of the agriculturalization process a crucial element in the study of early Chinese society. Examining the implementation and methods of early agriculturalization in China contributes to understanding the formation and deep foundations of the diverse and integrated patterns that characterized early China.

The Weiming Scholar Lecture Series, established by the IHSS to discover young scholars with potential, provided them with a platform for mutual growth and interaction. Since its launch on September 27, 2016, the project has invited a hundred young scholars to share their expertise. The speakers are from both within and outside Peking University, predominantly from the 80s and 90s generations, covering various fields in the humanities and social sciences, including history, literature, sociology, law, philosophy, archaeology, politics, economics, and art. Over the past seven years, IHSS has embarked on this journey together with these scholars, witnessing their growth from a state of Weiming (meaning "to be named" in Chinese) to maturity.

IHSS believes that what young scholars need is the opportunity to break free from isolation and established circles, stepping onto a platform where senior scholars and multidisciplinary researchers, among other diverse audiences, are present. Through engaging in the most potential and challenging exchanges, they can critically examine their own research.

As we celebrate the 100th lecture, looking back at the past speakers, many have grown into leading figures in their respective fields. Weiming embodies IHSS boundless expectations for the future of academia, leaving more unresolved questions to be explored by young scholars. The Weiming Scholar Lecture Series not only recognizes like-minded individuals but also strives to guide them at crucial crossroads in their academic paths. IHSS, standing behind this initiative as a support system for academia, hopes to establish a simple and more effective mechanism outside the current evaluation system.

For the past seven years, the Weiming Lecture Series has received continuous support from the AEGON-INDUSTRIAL Foundation, representing a shared ideal and enduring trust between IHSS, young scholars, and the pursuit of academic development.