The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) is the largest international professional association for scholars and institutions engaged in the study of Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded to promote research, teaching, and public engagement, LASA organizes an annual international congress, publishes peer-reviewed and public-facing research outlets, and convenes disciplinary and thematic networks to foster scholarship, dialogue, and advocacy on the region.
Advocacy for academic freedom and area studies funding, support for higher education and research infrastructure, promotion of open-access publishing and scholarly exchange, attention to human rights, migration, democracy and governance in Latin America and the Caribbean, diversity and inclusion within the profession, and policies that affect cross-border scholarly collaboration and international exchange programs.
Primarily funded through membership dues, conference registration fees and sponsorships, publication and press revenues, and grants or donations from foundations and institutional partners.
LASA Press, the Latin American Research Review (LARR), regional sections and caucuses (for example LASA Women and disciplinary/area sections), the University of Pittsburgh (administrative host), and relationships with learned-society networks such as the American Council of Learned Societies.
Non-profit professional academic association (learned society)
