Scholarly & Professional Organizations

The International Society for Humor Studies is one of a number of scholarly and professional groups with an interest in the study and application of humor. This page provides links to other humor research and professional associations.

American Humor Studies Association — Society dedicated to the study of American humor in all its various aspects, including belles lettres, popular comic papers, and various sub-literary media.

Association for the Study of Play (TASP) — Multidisciplinary organization dedicated to promoting the study of play.

Australian Humour Studies Network — The purpose of the Australasian Humour Studies Network is to consolidate interest in the emerging field of humour studies and to build links between scholars and practitioners in different academic departments, institutions and geographical locations. It has grown from 40 members and 10 discipline areas in 1997 to over 120 scholars and practitioners in up to 25 different academic disciplines and professions across Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.

CORHUM — Association, based in France, dedicated to the development of humor research in the arts, history, linguistics, anthropology, psychology, and sociology (Information in French).

International Society for Empirical Aesthetics — Society dedicated to the empirical study of aesthetics and of the arts, literature, and music.

International Society for Humor Studies (ISHS) — Homepage for the worldwide association for humor research.

International Society for Luso-Hispanic Humor Studies — Scholarly society dedicated to the study and appreciation of humor wherever Spanish and Portuguese are spoken.

Israeli Society for Humor Studies — Scholarly society dedicated to the advancement of humor studies in Israel and abroad.



Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor — Organization, based in the United States, committed to advancing knowledge and understanding of humor and laughter as they relate to healing and well-being. AATH holds an annual conference and offers fellowships to Conference participants.

Laughter Yoga International — Organization, based in the India, committed to the teaching and practice of Laughter Yoga in over 110 countries around the world.


American Comedy Archives — Archive, established at Emerson College in 2005 to acquire, preserve and make available primary source material that documents the professional activities of the ground breaking individuals who have written, produced or performed comedy for radio, television, motion pictures or live performance.

Center for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR) — An international research center, located at Brunel University in London, devoted to the academic study of comedy. As an interdisciplinary centre, CCSR considers the production, content, reception and wider socio-political implications of comedy in a variety of formats and from a range of perspectives.

Greater Good Science Center — Based at the University of California, Berkeley, the Greater Good Science Center is unique in its commitment to both science and practice: not only does the Center sponsor groundbreaking scientific research into social and emotional well-being, the Center helps people apply this research to their personal and professional lives. Since 2001, GGSC has been at the fore of a new scientific movement to explore the roots of happy and compassionate individuals, strong social bonds, and altruistic behavior—the science of a meaningful life.