About us

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 an organisation of academics, practitioners and students which has the objective of promoting discourse and applied research in all academic disciplines, including learning and teaching. It does this through the holding of regular conferences, symposia and workshops, publication of engaged research through avenues including its journal, conference and other publications, and website. Its encouragement of engaged, industry relevant research, is further supported by industry keynote speakers at its events and provision for it to broker joint industry/academic research projects.

The broadening of its focus to cover a wide range of academic disciplines arose due to increasing submissions over the years at IERA events from academics in other business disciplines, and also, interest from academics in non-business-related disciplines. This broadening of focus was formalised at the Annual General Meeting in 2021 with the adoption of the new name and structure, APERA, and an expanded focus to cover a range of 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 teaching and learning.

APERA's principal focus is academic and industry organisations in the Asia Pacific region, however membership is open to all academics, students and practitioners.

Our Objectives

1. To encourage applied engaged research with industry relevant outcomes in all academic disciplines, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.

2. To organise and conduct regular conferences, symposia and workshops to encourage the presentation of work on engaged research projects by academics, students and practitioners.

3. To support the publication and dissemination of academic research through the establishment and support of academic journals, books such as conference proceedings or collections of research on a related theme, and other publication venues such as on a secure website.

4. To broker engaged research projects both between academics at different institutions and between academics and practitioners, including assistance to members academics in responding to industry research and consulting briefs.

5. To publicly advocate the importance of engaged research with industry relevant outcomes.

6. To foster and support a culture of excellence and industry engagement in teaching and learning in all sectors of education.

7. To support and foster a culture of industry relevant scholarly activity in all academic organisations, including public, private nonprofit and private for profit organisations in all sectors of education, including all higher education sectors.