 The association holds an annual conference and other events, promotes the field through a variety of awards, and publishes "The Journal of Working-Class Studies".The origins of the Working-Class Studies Association can be traced to the Center for Working-Class Studies at Youngstown State University in Ohio and the Center for Study of Working Class Life at Stony Brook University.A complementary series of biennial conferences sponsored by these centers fostered a community of scholars, activists, artists, publishers, and journalists invested in the study of and advocacy for working-class life, culture and interests.