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The London-Asia-Pacific Centre for Social Science (LAPC) is a joint initiative between King's College London and SOAS University of London. Its focus is to conduct original research and disseminate knowledge about the politics, economics, and international relations of the Asia-Pacific region.
As such, it is designed to combine depth of empirical coverage while advancing key theoretical debates in the social sciences, both mainstream and critical.

The principal purposes of the LAPC are:

  • To provide a forum for inter-disciplinary, comparative social scientific research relating to the Asia- Pacific region (comprising ASEAN+3).
  • To facilitate social science research that reflects commitment to empirical research together with representation of both mainstream and critical viewpoints.
  • To promote discussion, research and scholarship related to the following themes in particular:

i) comparative political and economic systems
ii) international relations of the Asia-Pacific
iii) regional economic integration
iv) East Asia-EU relations

  • To host regular seminar series, workshops, conferences featuring scholars from UK and overseas in relation to its core themes.
  • To develop externally-funded, inter-disciplinary collaborative projects within the centre and with institutions overseas.
  • To host suitably qualified visiting scholars and practitioners with related interests.

 

Constitution of the London Asia-Pacific Centre for Social Science

The London Asia-Pacific Centre for Social Science is an officially constituted centre of King’s College London (KCL) and SOAS University of London.

While the principal aim of the LAPC is the generation of high quality academic research, the nature of the core themes mean that the research findings will be of interest to governmental agencies, NGOs, business and the media. By raising the social science profile of both KCL and SOAS in the Asia-Pacific region, the LAPC would also facilitate their aims of attracting high quality students, institutional collaborations, and external funding.

Management of the LAPC:

  1. The LAPC is responsible to the KCL/SOAS Academic Boards (through the FGA Executive Board at KCL and the FLSS Faculty Board at SOAS) and to their directors for its official activities and conduct. KCL/SOAS has the power to close or suspend the LAPC’s activities should this be deemed necessary.
  2. The LAPC is to be managed by two co-directors. They will be full-time academic members of KCL/SOAS (one from each institution). They will be chosen by the members of the steering committee of eight members (consisting of equal representation from KCL and SOAS).
  3. The co-directors will be responsible to KCL/SOAS through their relevant faculty boards for the academic and administrative business of the LAPC and for organising and overseeing LAPC activities.
  4. The co-directors will report annually to their faculty boards, on the previous year’s activities within the LAPC.

Membership of the LAPC:

  1. Membership is divided into two categories: regular and affiliated.
  2. Academic staff members of the social science departments/institutes of KCL/SOAS with an active research interest (i.e. publications) in the core themes qualify as regular members of the LAPC.
  3. Academic staff of non-social science faculties with a demonstrated interest (i.e. publications) in the core themes may become affiliated members upon request.
  4. In such situations as those where a formal vote may need to be taken, all regular members of the LAPC will be eligible to vote.
  5. The LAPC may appoint time-limited visiting affiliated members from outside of KCL/SOAS subject to confirmation by the faculty boards of KCL/SOAS.
  6. Affiliated members will not be eligible to vote on LAPC matters.
  7. It is the responsibility of the co-directors to maintain an up-to-date list of LAPC members.

Amendments to the constitution of the LAPC may be proposed to a meeting of the faculty board of KCL/SOAS by a majority of regular members of the LAPC. A two-thirds majority of regular members is required to endorse any such amendments. Proposed amendments must then be submitted to the academic boards of KCL/SOAS. The academic boards will have final power for the approval of any constitutional amendments.

Book series

Book series

The Studies of the Contemporary Asia-Pacific series, published by Hong Kong University Press, is the flagship publication of the London Asia Pacific Centre for Social Science.
Peace and prosperity have underpinned the Asia-Pacific region’s rise in the international system since the end of the Cold War.

This series seeks to understand the contemporary challenges to peace and prosperity. In particular, it seeks to understand the origins and dynamics of three issues, namely, the divergence between economic and social development as rapid growth has been accompanied by the worsening of relative disparities, the global constraints facing the region’s export-led growth model, especially relations with the West, and the persistence of inter-state conflicts despite the necessity of closer regional integration.

Based on these comparative and international guiding themes, this series seeks to publish original monographs and, when appropriate, edited volumes on the Asia-Pacific irrespective of the methodological approach. The aim of the series is to publish scholarly works that are both conceptually sophisticated and empirically well-informed. While addressing scholarly issues, it is hoped that the series will also appeal to wider audiences with an informed interest in the region.

Upcoming events
Working papers

Our Partners

SOAS, University of London

SOAS, University of London