The Australasian Association of Philosophy is the peak body for philosophy in Australasia. The chief purpose of the AAP is to promote philosophy in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Among the means that it follows to achieve this end, the AAP runs an annual conference, publishes two journals, awards various prizes, sponsors postgraduate and undergraduate philosophical activities, maintains affiliations with numerous other organisations that aim to promote philosophy and philosophical activity, and promotes philosophy in schools, cafes, pubs, and everywhere else that philosophy may be found.
History
The AAP was formed in 1922. Until 1958, it was as the Australasian Association of Psychology and Philosophy. The first issue of the journal appeared in 1923, and the first annual conference was held in Sydney in 1923. When it was founded, the Association had a number of State branches in Australia, including a branch in Victoria and a branch in New South Wales. These state branches had all ceased functioning well before the close of the twentieth century. A New Zealand Division of the Australasian Association of Philosophy was formally established in 1978. It was constituted by AAP members who were or had been active in New Zealand philosophy. The NZ Division held an Annual Conference in early December. The first such conference was held at Canterbury University College, Christchurch in 1953. AAPNZ was formally disestablished in 2011. The organisation of the Annual Conference in early December is now the responsibility of the New Zealand Association of Philosophy. Singapore became a region of the AAP in 2002.
The association is responsible for the organisation of the annual AAP conference, which always commences on the first Sunday in July. Held over five days, this conference is designed to give professional philosophers the opportunity to present and discuss papers in all areas of philosophy. Each year it attracts up to 300 philosophers from all parts of the globe.
Prizes
The AAP awards a number of annual prizes. These include:
The AAP Media Prize, for the best philosophical piece published by a professional philosopher in the popular media in Australasia.
The AAP Media Professionals Prize, for the best contribution by a media professional to the promotion of philosophy in the popular media in Australasia.
The AAP Innovation in Inclusive Curricula Prize, for the most innovative development of inclusive curriculum by professional philosophers working in Australasia.
The AAP Philosothon Prize, for the best student contributions at the annual Australian Philosothon.
Affiliations
The AAP maintains affiliations with FISP, the APA, the BPA, the ACPA, FAPSA, CHASS, and a range of Australasian philosophical associations that are devoted to particular sub-disciplines or sub-areas of philosophy.
