The School of Humanities and Social Science was approved by the Chinese Academy of Science and founded in November 2000. Its goal is the cultivation of well-rounded scientific experts, advocating comprehensive, quality education. Its solid cooperative relationship with the Institute of Strategic Studies in the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology promotes the national scientific strategy and policy studies.　

With 160 faculty, the School has 14 units and is a national innovation base for the study of engineering science history, scientific civilization and social science. It includes the Department of Scientific History and Archaeometry, the Department of Foreign Languages, a Modern Art Center, a Ceramic Art Center, a Center for Science Communication & Popularization, a National Institute of Development, and a Knowledge Management Center.