The British Sociological Association (BSA), founded in 1951, is the national learned society for sociology, affiliated as such with the International Sociological Association. Starting when sociology was hardly institutionalized as a distinct discipline within British universities, it expanded rapidly as sociology expanded, and has developed a wide range of functions. (These do not, however, as in some professional associations, include the certification of disciplinary qualifications.) It both organizes activities for sociologists and represents their intellectual and practical interests in the wider society. It is now formally registered as a charity, with the objective of promoting sociology.