The Asia Pacific Engaged Research Association (Apera) is the successor organisation to the International Employment Relations Association (IERA), including IERA's regional body, the Pacific Employment Relations Association (PERA), which has been providing opportunities for discourse and applied research in the Employment Relations and general business disciplines since its foundation in 1993.

Apera is an organisation of academics, practitioners and students which has the objective of promoting discourse and applied research in a wide range of academic disciplines including Information Technology and Systems, Interactive Media, Criminology and Justice, Psychological Sciences, Social Work and Counselling, HRM/Employment Relations, Management, Accounting, Marketing, Law, Tourism and Hospitality, and Education, including learning and teaching. It does this through the holding of regular conferences, symposia and workshops, and publication of engaged research through avenues including its journal, conference and other publications, and website.