Founded as an Association in 1952 and certified as a trade union in 1975 the Carleton University Academic Staff Association is the certified trade union representing over 900 full-time faculty and professional librarians at Carleton University in Ottawa, ON.

The affairs of CUASA are managed by the President (elected by the membership) and a Steering Committee, whose members are appointed for two-year terms by the Council of Representatives. Council members are elected for three-year terms from academic sub-units defined in the CUASA Constitution. Supporting the work of the Association are six full-time staff members.