Director Opening

Staff at the Himdag Ki: (Tohono O’odham Nation Cultural Center & Museum) would like to put the word out that the Tohono O’odham Nation has opened the position for applicants for the post of Administrator. The Administrator of their museum would be identified as a Director at other institutions.

If you know anyone who might be interested, please have them contact the Tohono O’odham Nation Human Resources Office in Sells, Arizona at 520-383-6540.

New Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute

Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute

Edited by Simon Coleman

Special Issue: Making Knowledge
Guest edited by Trevor H.J. Marchand

Making Knowledge
Trevor H.J. Marchand

Making knowledge: explorations of the indissoluble relation between minds, bodies and environment
Trevor H.J. Marchand

"Practice without theory": a neuroanthropological perspective on embodied learning
Greg Downey

Learning to listen: auscultation and the transmission of auditory knowledge
Tom Rice

The craft of skilful learning: Kazakh women’s everyday craft practices in western Mongolia
Anna Odland Portisch

"Something to talk about": notation and knowledge-making among Central Slovak lace-makers
Nicolette Makovicky

Embodied cognition and communication: studies with British fine woodworkers
Trevor H.J. Marchand

Footprints through the weather-world: walking, breathing, knowing
Tim Ingold

Unconscious culture and conscious nature: exploring East Javanese conceptions of the person through Bourdieu's lens
Konstantinos Retsikas

Learning to weave: weaving to learn... what?
Soumhya Venkatesan

Reflections on knowledge practices and the problem of ignorance
Roy Dilley

Anthropology of knowledge
Emma Cohen

Cool(E)Motion

The last post connects to this project. Pretty cool ...

By creating a gigantic and unprecedented art project, cool(E)motiontm wants to re-engage the public on the topic of climate change. It wants to do so in a positive manner, contrary to the fault-finding impulses or the accusing finger.

We will demonstrate the inextricable link between climate and culture and visualize what the consequences of that link are. To illustrate this we will travel into the areas around the North Pole. The impressive dynamic natural elements that are typical of this area speak to everyone's imagination: a virginal white stage with unimaginable forces, such as rapidly receding glaciers, floating icebergs, drifting ice. On these dynamic stages we will place huge sculptures, which derive their inspiration from the local culture. These almost majestic sculptures will be propelled by their stages at high speeds toward their final destruction. In order to reach our audience with this magnificent theatrical drama, we will broadcast it live into people’s living rooms.

AAA Arizona Resolution

American Anthropological Association Arizona Resolution

Adopted by the AAA Executive Board May 22, 2010

Whereas, the American Anthropological Association has historically supported policies that prohibit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, and sexual orientation; and

Whereas, the American Anthropological Association has a membership of more than 10,500 people, and an annual meeting that draws more than 4,000 members; and

Whereas, the Executive Board of the American Anthropological Association takes notice of Arizona Senate Bill 1070 requiring all local law enforcement to investigate a person's immigration status when there is a reasonable suspicion that the person is in the United States unlawfully, regardless of whether that person is suspected of a crime; and

Whereas, the Executive Board of the American Anthropological Association takes notice of Arizona House Bill 2162 that stipulates that person's immigration status must be investigated only during a lawful stop, detention, or arrest; and

Whereas, there exists more than a century of anthropological findings on the crucial social and political impact of discrimination based on race, national origin and ethnicity and a long history of anthropological concern for the well-being of immigrant populations, the American Anthropological Association considers these laws and the ways they may be implemented to be discriminatory.

Now, therefore be it resolved that the American Anthropological Association resolves not to hold a scholarly conference in the State of Arizona until such time that Senate Bill 1070 is either repealed or struck down as constitutionally invalid and thus unenforceable by a court; and

Be it further resolved that this boycott of Arizona as a place to hold meetings of the American Anthropological Association does not apply to Indian Reservations within the State of Arizona.

Field Museum - Climate Change

Field Museum Summer Exhibition Explores Climate Change – Its Causes, Effects, and Solutions

June 25–November 28, 2010


Media Preview: Friday, June 25 at 10am

Overview: The Field Museum’s special summer exhibition, Climate Change, explores the impact of climate change and its effects on our oceans, atmosphere, land, and societies. Discover how even small, individual changes add up quickly to help reduce global warming and learn about alternative energy sources that can eliminate our dependency on fossil fuels. Examine the inside of a pebble-bed nuclear reactor, see how the sun’s energy can be used through new types of solar panels, and learn how carbon dioxide may someday be captured and buried underground. Learn how a combination of efforts – individual, societal, and governmental – can make an impact in reducing climate change.

Exhibition Sponsor: Sponsored by Exelon Corporation, Motorola Foundation, HSBC - North America, Jones Lang LaSalle, and Whole Foods Market.

American Museum of Natural History, New York, in collaboration with The Field Museum, Chicago; the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage, United Arab Emirates; The Cleveland Museum of Natural History; Instituto Sangari, São Paulo, Brazil; Junta de Castilla y León, Spain; Korea Green Foundation, Seoul; Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen; Papalote Museo del Niño, Mexico City, Mexico; and the Saint Louis Science Center.

Museums and Language Preservation

A great story on CMA board member:

Joshua A. Bell, an anthropologist with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., told cultural heritage preservation professionals and graduate students that those in institutions that collect objects have obligations to not only to the objects but also to the societies in which the objects originated. Bell made the remarks as a panelist at an April 10, 2010 conference hosted by the Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies program of the Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences at the University’s New Brunswick, New Jersey campus.

New Visual Anthropology Review

Visual Anthropology Review
Volume 26, Issue 1, 2010.

Designer Vandalism: Indonesian Indie Fashion and the Cultural Practice of Cut 'n' Paste
BRENT LUVAAS

Digitizing the Decisive Moment
DENNIS LANG

Photography as Ethnographic Passport
JONATHAN S. MARION

Ethnographic Terminalia
LUCIAN GOMOLL

Florence Hawley Ellis Bibliography

A bibliography of Florence Hawley Ellis is now available online as Maxwell Museum Technical Series No. 14. The searchable PDF can be found here.

This publication is based on a bibliographic file originally maintained at the Ellis house, now at the museum. Except as noted in the bibliography, all of the items listed are available to scholars through the museum.

Visual Anthropology of Japan

Stumbled across this blog yesterday. Some great images, commentaries, etc. on the visual anthropology of Japan.

Virtual Issue Collection

We are pleased to announce a special virtual issue of Museum Anthropology in recognition of NAGPRA's upcoming 20th anniversary. The collection of papers consists of previously published articles in Museum Anthropology that address NAGPRA, repatriation, and reburial.

Check it out here, or you can find the originals on AnthroSource.

Assistant Curator Position

Assistant Museum Curator: Kenya Railways Corporation

Duties:
Preserving the existing artefacts; Preparing weekly, monthly and annual museum reports; Managing the museum’s library and photography section; Giving lectures and talks to visitors at the museums auditorium; Researching on new avenues of increasing revenue within the museum; Assisting researchers obtain required research materials at the museum’s resource centre; and Treasurer of the registered Friends of Railway Museum.

Qualifications:
O-Level Mean grade ‘C’ OR Equivalent
Diploma in Anthropology
3 years relevant experience in museum archiving and teaching
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Computer literacy and familiarity with standard office computer applications
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Terms of offer

An attractive remuneration package commensurate with qualifications and responsibilities of the position will be negotiated with the right candidate.

Interested and qualified candidates MUST complete the Kenya Railways application form, attach their testimonials and certificates and address their applications to the:

Managing Director
Kenya Railways Corporation
P.O. Box 30121, 00100,
Nairobi

To be received by 28th May, 2010.

Note: Only the short listed candidates will be contacted. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Museum Anthropology

The Department of Anthropology, Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology and John Nicholas Brown Center for Public Humanities and Cultural Heritage, Brown University invite applications for a post-doctoral fellow.

While appropriate training in museums and anthropology is required, the nature of an applicant’s specific research interests, geographical and temporal specializations and areas of expertise is left open. In addition to pursuing his or her research, the successful candidate will be expected to teach half time, one course on museum anthropology per semester that provides students with significant experience with collections and exhibition projects at the Haffenreffer Museum; to work with museum staff on museum projects; and to assist faculty in making use of the Haffenreffer Museum for their research and teaching. The successful candidate will also be expected to make substantive contributions to the ongoing work of the Haffenreffer Museum, the Department of Anthropology, and the John Nicholas Brown Center, such as the organization of reading or working groups, a topical symposium or lecture series, or any other project intended to foster a stimulating intellectual environment in which to pursue research, public outreach, and new interdisciplinary connections.

Applicants must normally have received their Ph.D. within the last five years. This will be a one-year position, beginning on July 1, 2010.

All candidates should submit a letter of application, a description of their proposed courses, curriculum vitae, and names of three references by June 1, 2010. Applications received by June 1, 2010 will receive full consideration, but the search will remain open until the position is closed or filled.

For further information or to apply, write to:

Professor Steven Lubar
Chair, Search Committee, Museum Anthropology Postdoctoral Fellow
Box 1880
Brown University Providence, RI 02912
lubar@brown.edu

Brown is an EEO/AA employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

New SAR Fellows

The School for Advanced Research (SAR) offers three artist-in-residence fellowships annually to advance the work of mature and emerging Native artists. The fellowships give artists time to explore new avenues of creativity, grapple with new ideas to further advance their work, and to strengthen existing talents. While in residence, the artists can access the School’s Indian Arts Research Center (IARC) collection of Native arts for research and study.

SAR is pleased to announce the 2010–2011 Native Artist Fellows:

2010 Ronald and Susan Dubin Native Artist Fellow
Duane Slick—Slick is a Mesqwaki painter whose current body of work features black-and-white photo-realist paintings on linen and glass. His works have been described as “dream paintings whose aim is the exploration of matters spiritual, not physical.” While at SAR, Slick will work to produce four to five black-and-white paintings based on his research in the IARC collections. This will serve as an inspiration for his visual narratives on memory and loss. He will be in residence from June 15–August 16, 2010.

2010 Rollin and Mary Ella King Native Artist Fellow
Aric Chopito—As one of the few weavers in Zuni Pueblo today, Chopito strongly believes in perfecting his weaving techniques and passing on his knowledge to future generations. At SAR, Chopito will be working on a project to create a kilt using a semi-brocade technique. This will allow the whole kilt fabric and design to be woven together. He intends to research textiles in the IARC collection as inspiration for his kilt. Chopito will be in residence from September 1–December 1, 2010.

2011 Eric and Barbara Dobkin Native Artist Fellow
Linda Aguilar—Chumash basketmaker Linda Aguilar uses traditional techniques to create her unique horsehair and waxed thread baskets. Her works can be found in the collection of several Nobel Peace Prize winners such as Nelson Mandela and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. While at SAR, Linda will be working on several baskets, which may come together to form an installation. According to her, “We have a saying ‘outside the box’...I will work ‘outside the basket’ creatively using various skills I have.” Aguilar will be in residence from March 1–May 31, 2011.

The Native Artist fellowships support diverse creative disciplines. Recent fellows have included Robert Mirabal (writer/musician), Marcus Amerman (beadworker), Armand Fritz (katsina carver), Cedar Sherbert (filmmaker), Erica Lord (performance artist), Pat Courtney Gold (basket maker), Estella Loretto (sculptor), Michael Bird Romero (jeweler/silversmith), Ramson Lomatewama (glassblower), and Marla Allison (painter).

Opening America's Skeleton Closets

In yesterday's Denver Post, one of Museum Anthropology's editors had an op-ed published on the pending NAGPRA 10.11 rule. Check it out.

Schiffer Interview

For those fans of behavioral archaeology out there: check out this fun interview on the AAA blog with Michael B. Schiffer.

Bernard Elected to NAS

Congratulations to H. Russell Bernard, professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of Florida, who has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

Bernard was an anthropology professor at UF from 1979 through 2007. He served as chairman of the department from 1979 to 1990. During his time at UF, he was a guest or visiting professor at the University of Cologne in Germany, University of Michigan, University of Kent in Canterbury and the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka, Japan. Prior to UF, he was a professor at the University of Illinois, Washington State University and West Virginia University.

Bernard joins 11 other UF faculty as members of the academy including two anthropologists, Elizabeth Wing (Florida Museum of Natural History, professor emeritus) and Michael Moseley of the department of anthropology.

Urban Anthropology Position

Sr. Urban Anthropology Manager
(open to social scientists with anthropology or related degrees)

Supervisor: Urban Anthropology Director
Term: 1 year with possibility of renewal

The Division of Environment, Culture, and Conservation (ECCo) at The Field Museum seeks an experienced social scientist for a full time (35hrs/wk) senior managerial position on its Chicago Region Urban Anthropology Team.

Position Summary: The Sr. Urban Anthropology Manager is responsible for developing, managing, and assisting with the implementation of ECCo’s social sustainability projects in the Chicago region. Projects focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation; strengthening relationships between urban communities and nature; and drawing on cultural heritage to address contemporary issues. Managerial duties include managing projects and budgets; managing staff and interns; seeking funding opportunities and writing grant proposals; and assisting the Urban Anthropology Director in divisional leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Develop and manage participatory research and community engagement projects related to cultural diversity and the natural environment in the Chicago region • Assist with other division projects • Manage budgets • Seek funding for urban anthropology projects and write grant proposals and reports • Manage staff and interns • Work with division leaders to help set and achieve ECCo’s overall direction, goals, and strategies

ECCo staff work in the Chicago metropolitan region and South America and comprise an interdisciplinary team of anthropologists and other social scientists, ecologists, communicators, and educators. Our goal in the Chicago region is to use The Field Museum’s collections and resources as tools for enhancing urban conservation and cultural understanding. In all of its work, ECCo partners with local agencies and organizations to help them draw on their environmental, social, and cultural assets to build green and sustainable communities that benefit people and the natural environment. The successful candidate must be able to work collaboratively, creatively, and rapidly with local partners, including community-based organizations, conservation organizations, schools, government agencies, and regional consortia.

Required qualifications: • Ph.D. in a social science focused on the study of contemporary societies, in a field such as anthropology, sociology, human ecology, sustainable development, cultural geography, natural resource management, or a related interdisciplinary degree with a social science emphasis • Three to five years minimum experience conducting participatory action research and translating results into innovative action programs for social change • Three to five years minimum experience managing staff and multiple projects under tight deadlines • Experience working in diverse urban neighborhoods (preferably in Chicago)

The Field Museum is an equal opportunity employer. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Applications are accepted online at http://www.fieldmuseum.org/.

Ethnography Curator Position

The King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture (Ithra) is a large scale project spearheaded by a forward thinking Saudi Aramco initiative, that exemplifies the company’s commitment to the Kingdom, that will bring cultural, historical and educational information to the citizens of Saudi Arabia. Scheduled to open in early 2013, the Center will be dedicated to connecting Saudis to their culture and bringing world cultures to the Kingdom through facilities such as a museum, public library, archives, children’s discovery zone, conference and performing art facilities, food services and retail facilities. Ithra will be a national landmark that will inspire a passion for learning, creativity and cross-cultural engagement and will be a stimulus for the development of new ideas and perspectives.

Responsibilities for this position will include interpretation of collection artifacts in order to inform, educate, and entertain the general public of all age groups, to assist with exhibit production, educational programming, publicity and marketing, and general research and acquisition of the Gallery 2 collection. It also includes coordinating with other staff and volunteers engaged in educational programming, publicity and marketing, and collections care and interpretation work. Liaising with the community (including schools, art groups and others), as well as networking with other museum professionals and outside agencies, through meetings and collaborative projects.

• MA in anthropology, history or heritage and work experience as a curator required; • Awareness of and familiarity with local/regional culture and sensitivities recommended; • English speaker.

Prof and NAGPRA Position

Assistant Professor and Dept NAGPRA Coordinator

California State University, Sacramento. The Department of Anthropology invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor beginning Fall 2010. We are seeking an anthropologist with collections-related NAGPRA experience. The initial 2 years of the assignment will be to work solely with existing archaeological collections bringing these into compliance with NAGPRA and other federal and state standards. In subsequent years, the candidate will teach at the undergraduate and graduate level, engage in scholarly research and publication, and continue oversight of department collections. This candidate will be expected to coordinate NAGPRA activities until repatriation is complete. Area of specialization is open, though a background in California prehistory is preferred.

Information about the current program may be found at http://www.csus.edu/anth/; elaboration of the position description can be found at http://www.csus.edu/hr/faculty/SSIS/index.htm.

Review of applications will begin May 14, 2010, the position remaining open until filled. Applicants must submit a letter of interest, curriculum vita, evidence of teaching, curatorial and research experience, and contact information for at least three references to the Chair, Search Committee, Department of Anthropology, CSU Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6106. This employer offers employment benefits to domestic partners of employees. This employer prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation/preference and gender identity/expression. Sacramento State is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity. Jeanne Clery Act crime statistics are available.