The International Association for Semiotic Studies (IASS) is a global scholarly organization of researchers studying processes and systems of signification and communication, not only in social life and everyday worlds but also in biological and zoological contexts. Semiotics is a discipline that cares about how meaning and communication are created and understood in the natural and cultural environments of all kinds of beings — human and non-human alike. Semioticians employ rigorous methods and tools that allow them to inquire meaning, to propose explanatory models, and highlight the diverse possible interpretations of any given phenomenon. As such, semioticians serve as “mediators” between disciplines, professions, and individuals interested in the significance of life and the world around them.
The International Association for Semiotic Studies was established on January 21-22, 1969 in Paris. Its founding members were prominent scholars, including Algirdas Julien Greimas, Roman Jakobson, Julia Kristeva, Emile Benveniste, André Martinet, Roland Barthes, Umberto Eco, Thomas A. Sebeok, and Juri Lotman. Since its inception, the Association has been the world’s leading organization for the study of semiotic phenomena. IASS incorporates both individual and collective members. Among the latter are international and multinational organizations and interest assembles, national semiotics associations, regional groups, and research centers, among others, which are spread across all continents. The IASS’s official working languages are English, French, Spanish, and German.
Over the decades, semioticians have refined their theories and methodologies, collaborating with both private and public institutions, companies, and political administrations in consulting capacities. Their work has produced significant investigations throughout many fields. Today, a substantial part of their efforts is dedicated to addressing critical contemporary transitions. Semiotics has also demonstrated a strong commitment to social engagement. Semioticians have played a key role in tackling collectively shared issues by analyzing power dynamics, media representation, and identity formation. Through collaboration with local communities and institutions, semiotic research has contributed to movements for social justice, the defense of indigenous cultures, and ethnic, racial, or gender equality. This work has helped to amplify diverse voices and perspectives, and to generalize that approach, especially in the context of marginalized groups, fostering a deeper reflection and understanding of an increasingly complex world.
The current Bureau of the IASS, elected in Warsaw (September 2024) for the 2024-2029 term, is composed as follows:
PRESIDENT: Jacques Fontanille (France)
0000-0003-1141-1596 | 
26036915300 | 
U-1542-2019
SECRETARY GENERAL: Tiziana Migliore (Italy)
0000-0003-1501-7983 | 55795087000
TREASURER: Nedret Öztokat (Turkey)
0000-0003-3445-1275 | AAC-6627-2020
VICE-SECRETARY GENERAL: Marita Soto (Argentina)
0009-0009-7325-1007 | LGZ-6886-2024
VICE-PRESIDENTS
- for Europe: Zdzisław Wąsik (Poland)
0000-0003-2556-8228| 3654548000 | - for the Americas: Claudio F. Guerri (Argentina)
0009-0004-1394-1843 | 56432526100 | - for Asia and Oceania, excluding China: Seema Khanwalkar (India)
0000-0003-4027-2812 | - for Africa: Joseph Paré (Burkina Faso)
- for China: Hongbing Yu (Canada and China)
0000-0002-1944-1514 | 55584498700 | LFV-1551-2024
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF OF SEMIOTICA
- Stéphanie Walsh Matthews (Canada)
0009-0004-1363-4464 | 57193224469 | FKK-8025-2022 - Massimo Leone (Italy)
0000-0002-8144-4337 | 35199859000 | U-3689-2019 - Jamin Pelkey (Canada)
0000-0002-0069-0617 | 55761050300 | AAA-8514-2021
COLLABORATORS
- Communications Manager: Alexandre Provin Sbabo (Brazil)
0000-0001-5231-0658 | - Social Media Manager: Sebastián Moreno (Uruguay)
0000-0003-3551-7117 | 57219166189 | JPX-0465-2023
HONORARY PRESIDENTS:
Eero Tarasti (Finland)
Umberto Eco ✝ (Italy)
Jerzy Pelc ✝ (Poland)
Roland Posner ✝ (Germany)
Cesare Segre ✝ (Italy)
Gloria Withalm (Austria)
According to Article 2 of the Statuts de l’Association Internationale de Sémiotique, the IASS-AIS has the following goals:
-
Promoting the integrity of semiotics as scientific research (Promouvoir les recherches sémiotiques dans un esprit scientifique);
-
Strengthening and broadening international ties within the field of semiotics (Renforcer la coopération internationale dans ce domaine);
-
Reinforcing collaborations with similar associations (Collaborer avec d’autres associations similaires);
-
Organising conferences and workshops both at the national and international level (Organiser des colloques nationaux et internationaux et des stages de formation);
-
Publishing an international journal, Semiotica (Publier une revue internationale [. . .]: Semiotica).
The IASS-AIS comprises nearly 800 members representing all continents. Combined with the members of affiliated multinational, national, regional associations, research groups and circles, the Association represents more than thousand of semioticians who are organized all over the world.