Welcome to the TASA website. We are continually improving its usability, and increasing the numbers of ways in which TASA reaches its members – and the ways in which our members can contribute to public conversations about Sociological issues. So please make use of the blog, the twitter feed and contribute to Nexus.

TASA is a vibrant organisation committed to promoting sociology in Australia, facilitating sociology, teaching and research, enhancing the professional development of sociologists and assisting sociologists to play a leading role in public conversations about critical social issues. TASA promotes the need for sociological thinking and skills to be placed at the centre of public life. We actively promote sociology in Australia through our events and publications and through engaging in policy discussions around key issues affecting sociology in higher education. We are also committed to growing our connections with sociologists working across the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia Pacific Sociology Association bi-annual conference will be held in Royal University in Phnom Penh, 24–25 September 2016.

Our members: We have a strong membership base with almost 700 members across Australia, and increasing numbers of international members which is very pleasing . TASA is a network of postgraduates, academics, policy-makers and applied sociologists.. In recent years, sociology has moved beyond being the domain of sociology departments to become a central component of multi-disciplinary teaching, learning and research. Sociologists are now just as likely to be found in schools of business, education, health, criminology or policy as they are in sociology departments. Sociologists work in research organisations, government departments, non-profit associations, private industry and social movements – and these numbers are likely to grow in the next few years. The next TASA Executive (2017-2018) will have a new Applied Sociology member to better reflect our changing membership.

What we offer: TASA provides a range of opportunities for all sociologists to come together in ways which enhance their professional development and engage in intellectual life. Communication and information sharing are highly valued within our organisation. TASA events each year include an Annual National Conference, Public Lectures, General Meetings, Seminars and Workshops. The association also manages a series of publications. These include the international peer reviewed journal publications the Journal of Sociology and Health Sociology Review. We produce Nexus, which is an engaging magazine style website, and host a newsletter used for brief and rapid communication about relevant developments in policy and higher education. We encourage all TASA members to play an active role in all these forums, in whichever way they see fit.

Australian sociologists work across all areas of specialisation in the discipline and actively engage in, and in some cases lead, international debates in Sociology. We currently have a critical mass of sociologists active in 26 thematic groups in key specialisations within our discipline. Joining and participating in thematic groups is a key benefit of being a TASA member.

If you are not already a member of TASA, I invite you to join our vibrant community of sociologists. If you are a member, I urge you to promote the benefits of membership to your colleagues!

AProf Katie Hughes

TASA President

I warmly welcome you to the TASA website. TASA is the leading Sociological Association in this region. We are a vibrant organisation committed to promoting sociology in Australia, facilitating sociology, teaching and research and enhancing the professional development of sociologists. TASA promotes the need for sociological thinking and skills to be placed at the centre of public life. We actively promote sociology in Australia through our events and publications and through engaging in policy discussions around key issues affecting sociology in higher education. TASA has a long history, for over 50 years we have been actively promoting our discipline and supporting our members.

Our members: We have a strong membership base with over 700 members across Australia. TASA is a network of postgraduates, academics, policy-makers and sociologists working outside of academe. In recent years, sociology has moved beyond being the domain of sociology departments to become a central component of multi-disciplinary teaching, learning and research. Sociologists are now just as likely to be found in schools of business, education, health, criminology or policy as they are in sociology departments. Outside of the university sector, sociologists work in research organisations, government departments, non-profit associations, private industry and social movements.

What we offer: TASA provides a range of opportunities for all sociologists to come together in ways which enhance their professional development and engage in intellectual life. Communication and information sharing are highly valued within our organisation. TASA events each year include an Annual National Conference, Public Lectures, General Meetings, Seminars and Workshops. The association also manages a series of publications. These include the international peer reviewed journal publications the Journal of Sociology and Health Sociology Review. We produce Nexus, which is an engaging magazine style newsletter for members, and host an e-list used for brief and rapid communication about relevant developments in policy and higher education. In addition TASA produces peer reviewed conference proceedings each year.

Australian Sociologists work across all areas of specialisation in the discipline and actively engage in, and in some cases lead, international debates in Sociology. We currently have a critical mass of sociologists active in 20 thematic groups in key specialisations within our discipline including health, gender and families and cultural sociology. Joining and participating in thematic groups is a key benefit of being a TASA member.

If you are not already a member of TASA, I invite you to join our vibrant community of sociologists.

AProf Jo Lindsay
TASA President

The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) is the peak professional body for sociologists in Australia. Sociologists have important perspectives and knowledge that allow for rich understandings of society; and the skills that sociologists use to research and document social dynamics are widely valued.

TASA continues to promote the need for sociological thinking and skills to be placed at the centre of public life. We actively promote sociology in Australia through the annual conference and facilitating workshops and public forums; managing publications such as the Journal of Sociology, Health Sociology Review and Nexus; and engaging in policy discussions around key issues affecting sociology in higher education (for example, the ERA and Learning Standards).

TASA is a network of postgraduates, academics, policy-makers and sociologists working outside of academe. In recent years, sociology has moved beyond being the domain of sociology departments to become a central component of multi-disciplinary teaching, learning and research. Sociologists are now just as likely to be found in schools of business, education, health, criminology or policy as they are in sociology departments. Outside of the university sector, sociologists work in research organisations, government departments, non-profit associations, private industry and social movements. TASA provides a range of opportunities for all sociologists to come together in ways which enhance their professional development and engage in intellectual life.

TASA operates on the strength of its membership. The decisions we make, the directions we take, and the influence we have depends on your level of engagement in sociology and the Association. We appreciate the contributions of our members and encourage their active involvement in TASA. If you are not already a member, please consider joining. The benefits of being a TASA member include reduced rates for conference registrations, eligibility to join the Thematic Groups, subscription to the Journal of Sociology (full members), copies of Nexus and access to the TASA E-list. Most importantly, you will contribute toward a more vibrant community of sociologists in Australia, and a more informed and imaginative public debate about social life.

So, welcome to TASA and its website. In discovering more about what we do at TASA, I hope you are inspired to join the Association and help promote sociology in Australia.

Debra King
TASA President

Welcome to TASAweb, the website of The Australian Sociological Association (TASA).

TASA is the peak organisation of sociologists throughout Australia. This website provides information about TASA’s main activities. It includes information for our members, and for non-members there is a Public-Access Sociology section.

Key actitivites of TASA include:

An annual conference held each year in a different city, hosted by a different Australian university. The conferences are large enough to showcase a broad cross-section of cutting-edge Australian research, and small enough to remain friendly and accessible.
The Journal of Sociology, the flagship journal for Australian sociological research. It is refereed, internationally recognised, and published by SAGE.
Thematic Groups on Specialist topics, including the Media, Cultural Sociology, Economic Sociology, Environment and Society, Health, Mental Health, Social Stratification, Ethnicity, Migration & Multiculturalism, and Indigenous Issues.
TASA also publishes a quarterly newsletter Nexus, and collaborates with eContent Management in the publication of Health Sociology Review.

If you are not already a member of TASA, please consider joining. Membership provides you with subscription to the Journal of Sociology, reduced rates for registration to the annual conference, eligibility to join in the activities of thematic groups, and other benefits.

You will also contribute towards a more vibrant community of sociologists in Australia, and a more informed and imaginative public debate about social life and policy in contemporary Australia.

Professor Michael Gilding
TASA President