Constitution of the London Asia-Pacific Centre for Social Science

The London Asia-Pacific Centre for Social Science (LAPC) is an officially constituted centre of King’s College London (KCL) and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

The principal purposes of the LAPC

  1. to provide a forum for inter-disciplinary, comparative social scientific research relating to the Asia-Pacific region (corresponding to the ASEAN + 3 countries);
  2. to facilitate social science research that is both theoretically informed, empirically substantive, and representative of both mainstream and critical viewpoints;
  3. 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;
  4. to host regular seminar series, workshops, conferences featuring scholars from UK and overseas in relation to the core themes specified in c;
  5. to develop externally-funded, inter-disciplinary collaborative projects within the UK and in collaboration with institutions overseas;
  6. to host visiting scholars and practitioners with cognate interests.

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 serve for 2-3 years and be chosen by the members of the Steering Committee of 8 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 organizing 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.

Book series

  1. Studies of the Contemporary Asia Pacific is a new book series with Hong Kong University Press. Series Co-Editors: Tat Yan Kong (SOAS) and Ramon Pacheco Pardo (King's).

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.