Latin American Studies Association (LASA)

Organization
Type	Research Institution
Region	Latin America and the Caribbean
Founders	Scholars of Latin America from various disciplines
Website	lasaweb.org

The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) is the world’s largest professional association for individuals and institutions engaged in the study of Latin America. Founded in 1966, LASA brings together over 12,000 members across the Americas and beyond, including academics, researchers, activists, and policy professionals .

Mission

LASA promotes intellectual exchange and fosters research, teaching, and discussion about Latin America, the Caribbean, and its diaspora. It values diversity, interdisciplinarity, and transnational collaboration in social sciences and humanities.

Activities

• Annual Congress: LASA holds an international congress every year with panels, workshops, and keynote speeches. Topics often include digital activism, political participation, and media policy.
• Publications: It publishes the peer-reviewed journal Latin American Research Review (LARR) and the newsletter LASA Forum.
• Sections: LASA has over 30 thematic sections, including ones dedicated to technology, media studies, and social movements.
• Awards and Grants: It offers various prizes and research grants, particularly supporting scholars from Latin America.

Relevance to Internet Governance

While LASA does not work directly with technical Internet governance, it frequently addresses digital inclusion, platform regulation, surveillance, and online political expression in Latin America. Scholars affiliated with LASA often publish on digital rights, access to knowledge, and the societal impacts of digital technologies in the region .

History

LASA was created in response to the need for a scholarly space to study Latin America from a hemispheric and interdisciplinary perspective. It has since become a key voice in global debates on Latin America, including critical reflections on the role of the Internet and digital tools in democracy, education, and development.