The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) is the largest professional association in the world for individuals and institutions engaged in the study of Latin America. With over 13,000 members, over 60% of whom reside outside the United States, LASA is the one association that brings together experts on Latin America from all disciplines and diverse occupational endeavors, across the globe.
LASA's mission is to foster intellectual discussion, research, and teaching on Latin America, the Caribbean, and its people throughout the Americas, promote the interests of its diverse membership, and encourage civic engagement through network building and public debate.
Every year, specialists on Latin America gather at the LASA International Congress. Featuring over 900 sessions, including plenary sessions and informal meetings, the Congress is the world's premier forum for expert discussion on Latin America and the Caribbean.
LASA members enjoy a wide variety of benefits as noted on the "Join" link. Membership is available to individuals and institutions sharing the Association's commitment to the field of Latin American studies.
The Association advances the Latin Americanist community in numerous other ways. It provides access to the Latin American Research Review, the premier U.S.-based journal in Latin American studies; it publishes the LASA Forum, a quarterly newsletter; it publishes books in open access from LARC, it's publisher; it alerts members to professional opportunities; it recognizes scholarly achievement and it represents Latin Americanists' interests and views before the U.S. government and at times to governments elsewhere.