APSA, the Asia Pacific Sociological Association, was established by the late Emeritus Professor John Western (University of Queensland) and a number of sociology colleagues from the Asia Pacific region in 1996. APSA's goals are:
- to establish a network to link sociological associations, sociology departments and individual sociologists in the Asia Pacific region;
- to provide information and contacts using such means as the Internet, email and newsletters;
- to act as a clearinghouse for co-operation in teaching, research and other professional activities;
- to promote and assist the publication of social research focusing upon the region;
- to encourage co-operation between sociologists, planners and policy makers at both the regional and community level;
- to hold regular regional conferences, seminars and workshops;
- to establish and maintain an on-line journal concerning issues in the Asia Pacific region to sociologists worldwide; and
- to establish and maintain a website to better promote the concerns deemed most important by the association membership.
APSA prides itself in the fact that its membership reflects the diversity of cultures, nations, ethnicities, and perspectives from across the Asia Pacific region. Its executive committee is constructed to reflect this diversity.
APSA is a member organization of the International Sociological Association.