The Institute consists of five research divisions, respectively specializing on the History of Modern Chinese Thoughts, the Academic History in Modern China, the Cultural Construction in Contemporary China, Urban Culture, International Communications of Thoughts and Cultures, and a Information Center of Modern China's Thoughts and Culture.
The head of the division of the History of Modern Chinese Thoughts is Prof. Gao Ruiquan who is Professor and Doctorial Advisor in the Philosophy Department at ECNU. He gave lectures in the Chinese University of Hong Kong (1994) and was visiting scholar in University of Bergen (1997) and Stanford University (1999). His major publications include: (1) Social Thoughts in Modern China 中国近代社会思潮, ECNU Publishing House, Shanghai, 1996; (2) The Geist Tradition of Modern China 中国现代精神传统, Oriental Publishing Center, Shanghai, 1999; (3) "On the Methodical Principles in the Study on Social Thoughts of Modern China ", Academic Journal, Vol. 1, 1996; (4) " On 'Progress' and History: Reflection on Key Ideas of Modernity", Philosophy Study, Vol. 6, 1998; (5) "Understanding the Mainstream of National Spirits: Feng Qi's Study on the History of Modern Chinese Philosophy", Philosophy Study, Vol. 4, 1996.