Founded in 1979, the Association for Asian American Studies (AAAS) has emerged as a primary research and teaching hub for Asian American Studies, an interdisciplinary field born out of the 1960s movements for racial justice, third world liberation, and student activism. Advancing the highest professional standards of research, teaching, and service in the field of Asian American Studies, the AAAS is committed to sponsoring conferences, symposia, special projects, and publications, which engage the association’s priorities with regard to scholarship, mentorship, and pedagogy.
Equally important is the degree to which the association’s various objectives – specifically as they intersect with advocating and representing the interests and welfare of Asian American Studies and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders – reflect multiple communities and varied identities.
Since its inception, AAAS has advocated and represented the interests and welfare of Asian American Studies and Asian Americans. As advocates, AAAS seeks to ensure that the voices of the Asian American community at large are ensured to have their perspective represented especially with regards to issues that impact the AAPA community most.