About CAALS

The Circle for Asian American Literary Studies (CAALS) is the only national and international scholarly society dedicated to the study of Asian American literature, culture, and arts. CAALS was organized in 1995 as one of sixty-seven literary societies sponsoring the American Literature Association (ALA).

Our members include scholars, writers, teachers, and students of Asian American literature who seek a supportive space for discussion of Asian American texts (defined broadly), relevant scholarship and theory, pedagogy, professional development, and more. Our desire is to stimulate scholarly and popular interest in Asian American writers and artists; to mentor and support scholars, writers, and teachers of Asian American literature in the work they do; to create community and opportunities for Asian American literature specialists who are the only ones at their institutions (“solo practitioners”) or who work in alt-ac or contingent positions; and to introduce a broader audience to the richness, power and diversity of Asian American literature. We value warm professionalism and strive to maintain an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative environment.

We hold our annual conference and business meeting at the ALA Annual Meeting, which is held every year on Memorial Day Weekend. CAALS complements the work of the Association for Asian American Studies (AAAS) and the Modern Language Association (MLA) discussion group in Asian American Studies. In addition to holding events at the ALA and AAAS conferences, we have also recently collaborated with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (sponsor of the Asian American Literature Festival), the Massachusetts Review, and Amerasia Journal.

If you would like to join our email list, learn more about CAALS, or become a member, please email us at caalsinfo@gmail.com. We look forward to getting to know you and your work.

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The CAALS logo was designed by Mai-Linh Hong, 2020.

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