Who can join the ASC?
In a word – Anyone! Any individual, group or institution who subscribes to the purpose of the Society, demonstrates professional and scientific conduct, and pays the appropriate membership dues may be approved to become a member.
- Below are the membership benefits, categories and fees
- On the right side of the page, select the type of membership and then click on Pay Membership
Who does join the ASC?
Cybernetics is a broad and multi-faceted topic. This breadth and diversity is reflected in our membership.
The ASC membership includes professionals, students, academics, consultants, researchers, writers and artists, who pursue a variety of vocations and avocations.
Our members’ interests and specialties span a range of diverse fields and disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary and integrative character of both theory and praxis in cybernetics.
A typical ASC member has active interests in (e.g.) first and second order cybernetics, general systems thinking, and the application of these ideas in the many fields where they offer insights and practical guidance. Or they may be new to the field and interested in learning about the field and join in conversation with others.
Some of our current and past members are introduced here.
What are the ASC Membership Benefits?
The benefits of membership in the American Society for Cybernetics include:
- Three degrees of membership (see table below): Affiliate; Student; Member; and Fellow (appointed by the Executive Board)
- The use of the qualification ASCF (for Fellows); ASC (for Members); ASCA (for Affiliates)
- The right to propose, by nomination, Members for appointment as Fellow and to nominate candidates for the ASC awards.
- Reduced fees for participation in the Society’s conferences, educational seminars, and other events
- Reduced fees for participation in conferences and other events co-sponsored by the Society
- Participation in the Society’s Internet forum, and the various Web based resources including tutorials, records of conference presentations, etc.
- Through the Society’s membership of the International Federation for Systems Research, “visiting rights” with many other national Societies interested in cybernetics and participation in IFSR projects.
- Access to various archives associated with the Society.
- The opportunity to foster interactivity by listing yourself, your relevant Web resources, and / or your email address at the ASC Website
- The opportunity to present and publish your cybernetics-related work within the Society’s event and publication venues
- Access to a population of otherwise hard to find people sharing your interests in cybernetics and related topics
- Affiliation with a group of people interested in pursuing the boundaries of human understanding in a novel, disciplined and engaging manner
- A significantly discounted personal subscription rate for the journal Cybernetics and Systems
Membership Categories
Paying Members
| Membership Type | Description / Requirements | Benefits / Privileges |
| Regular Designation: ASC | The standard general membership category. Application and payment of applicable dues. |
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| Student Designation: ASCA | Regular membership privileges at a discounted rate for registered students who are not employed full-time. Application and payment of applicable dues. |
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| Affiliate Designation: ASCA | Regular membership privileges at a discounted rate for retirees or anyone else whose income totals less than US$30K a year. Application and payment of applicable dues. |
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| Lifetime Designation: ASC | Perpetual membership status. Single payment equivalent to 7.5 times the annual fee for a Regular member |
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| Fellow Designation: ASCF | Additional ASC member attribution, connoting recognition for contributions to the field. Nominated by ASC member(s) to ASC committee. If approved, committee nomination forwarded to Executive Board for approval. |
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Non-paying Members
| Membership Type | Description / Requirements | Benefits / Privileges |
| Emeritus Designation: ASC | Perpetual non-paying status awarded to ASC members of good and long standing, based on member application and satisfaction of criteria. Attainment of age 70. |
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Publication Discount
| Item | Publication | Annual Fee |
| Subscription (optional) at over 50% discount | Cybernetics and Systems (Journal) (Regularly US$396) | US$150 |
Membership Fees
The applicable timeframe for all annual fees is a membership year. The membership year is a term of one year extending from the date of effective registration or renewal. Effective with 2013, ASC membership periods are no longer tied to the calendar year (1 January through 31 December). The ASC does not prorate fees for any period of less than 1 year. All fees are quoted (and payable) in U.S. dollars (US$). Fees may be paid via Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or PayPal.
| Member Type | Term / Period | Fee |
| Regular | 1 year | US$100 |
| Fellow | 1 year | US$100 |
| Affiliate / Student | 1 year | US$40 |
| Lifetime – Personal | Member in perpetuity | US$750 (one-time payment) |
Membership Contacts
For introductory or general membership topics, please contact
membership (at) asc-cybernetics.org
For questions about payments or other financial matters, please contact the
ASC Treasurer treasurer (at) asc-cybernetics.org
Membership payment
On the top-right box, select the type of membership and then click on Pay Membership
