Society for Cultural Anthropology
@culanth.bsky.social
Challenging the boundaries of the discipline since 1983. Account managed by a volunteer team of Contributing Editors. Posts this week by Social Media Team.
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It's that time of year!! 🎁❄️📚📚🤓
That's right! The latest issue of Cultural Anthropology is out now! Check out all eight new research articles open-access here: journal.culanth.org/index.php/ca
That's right! The latest issue of Cultural Anthropology is out now! Check out all eight new research articles open-access here: journal.culanth.org/index.php/ca
In 2018, we published the Hot Spots series "Im/migration in the Trump Era."
The series sought to generate discussion between scholars & activists working in the US about the potentials & challenges of practicing engaged anthropology with (im)migrants.
The series sought to generate discussion between scholars & activists working in the US about the potentials & challenges of practicing engaged anthropology with (im)migrants.
Im/migration in the Trump Era
One year into the Trump presidency, when our core values of multiculturalism, cross-cultural understanding, international diversity, and racial i...
www.culanth.org
January 15, 2026 at 11:18 PM
In 2018, we published the Hot Spots series "Im/migration in the Trump Era."
The series sought to generate discussion between scholars & activists working in the US about the potentials & challenges of practicing engaged anthropology with (im)migrants.
The series sought to generate discussion between scholars & activists working in the US about the potentials & challenges of practicing engaged anthropology with (im)migrants.
RIP German anthropologist Johannes Fabian, who passed away last Tuesday. Fabian was most widely known as the author of "Time and the Other: How Anthropology Makes its Object" (1983), a then-radical & still-influential critique of anthropological writing, knowledge-making & fieldwork relations. RIP.
January 15, 2026 at 10:39 PM
RIP German anthropologist Johannes Fabian, who passed away last Tuesday. Fabian was most widely known as the author of "Time and the Other: How Anthropology Makes its Object" (1983), a then-radical & still-influential critique of anthropological writing, knowledge-making & fieldwork relations. RIP.
The military & migrants are central to Maine’s economy & the effects of that dependence take on a brutal reality in the fight over the location of a small ICE facility in a rural community.
Catherine Besteman in our 2021 series on immigration & Trump
Catherine Besteman in our 2021 series on immigration & Trump
ICE in Maine
An announcement in 2019 that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) planned to open its first holding and transfer facility in Maine prom...
www.culanth.org
January 15, 2026 at 9:14 PM
The military & migrants are central to Maine’s economy & the effects of that dependence take on a brutal reality in the fight over the location of a small ICE facility in a rural community.
Catherine Besteman in our 2021 series on immigration & Trump
Catherine Besteman in our 2021 series on immigration & Trump
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
AAUP Portland State University secured a crucial win:
Admin will reinstate laid-off faculty & comply with an arbitration decision after violating @psuaaup.bsky.social's contract.
This win proves that higher ed unions are key to protecting faculty livelihood at our universities.
Read more here👇
Admin will reinstate laid-off faculty & comply with an arbitration decision after violating @psuaaup.bsky.social's contract.
This win proves that higher ed unions are key to protecting faculty livelihood at our universities.
Read more here👇
Portland State agrees to reinstate laid off faculty
Portland State University is reversing course and fully complying with an arbitration decision ordering the university to reinstate some faculty laid off in last year’s budget cuts.
www.opb.org
January 15, 2026 at 3:47 PM
AAUP Portland State University secured a crucial win:
Admin will reinstate laid-off faculty & comply with an arbitration decision after violating @psuaaup.bsky.social's contract.
This win proves that higher ed unions are key to protecting faculty livelihood at our universities.
Read more here👇
Admin will reinstate laid-off faculty & comply with an arbitration decision after violating @psuaaup.bsky.social's contract.
This win proves that higher ed unions are key to protecting faculty livelihood at our universities.
Read more here👇
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
Just want to note: Part of what we're missing is *exactly* what we're all doing in this thread folks! Just sayin. #anthrosky
Good question. It would be great if we could find some ways to rebuild some of those networks (while also avoiding what happened with Twitter in which it could all be destroyed with a change in ownership). Many anthros are on here...it's a matter of finding/creating ways to bring folks together.
What would it take to make #AnthroSky what #AnthroTwitter was?
January 15, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Just want to note: Part of what we're missing is *exactly* what we're all doing in this thread folks! Just sayin. #anthrosky
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
In a week, Texas A&M goes from censoring Plato to canceling Dr. Leonard Bright's Ethics & Public Policy course on unfounded allegations it taught "race & gender ideology."
“The message was clear: Be very afraid, no one can save you from being censored at TAMU.”
— @drleonardbright.bsky.social
“The message was clear: Be very afraid, no one can save you from being censored at TAMU.”
— @drleonardbright.bsky.social
‘Censored’: Texas A&M cancels course under new ‘race and gender ideology’ policy
Texas A&M’s government and public service department alleges a professor refused to submit information about his class for review.
www.star-telegram.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:42 PM
In a week, Texas A&M goes from censoring Plato to canceling Dr. Leonard Bright's Ethics & Public Policy course on unfounded allegations it taught "race & gender ideology."
“The message was clear: Be very afraid, no one can save you from being censored at TAMU.”
— @drleonardbright.bsky.social
“The message was clear: Be very afraid, no one can save you from being censored at TAMU.”
— @drleonardbright.bsky.social
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
CFP: "Anthropology at the End of Worlds." Boston. March 27-28. With a pre-conference workshop for graduate students and early career scholars. QR code for proposal submission and attendee registration. Share widely!
January 15, 2026 at 5:30 PM
CFP: "Anthropology at the End of Worlds." Boston. March 27-28. With a pre-conference workshop for graduate students and early career scholars. QR code for proposal submission and attendee registration. Share widely!
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
Ya definitely two different questions many of us are asking here.
How to replicate that and whether that is even desired by rising generation of anthros are two diff questions. The entire social media landscape is just so different now in terms of mood, what one does on it, kinds of engagement imo
January 15, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Ya definitely two different questions many of us are asking here.
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
Also this thread of responses from @afleisch-anthro.bsky.social:
👋 thanks for this, folks. the above post is one of my last attempts at using the SCA platform to tap into the collective brain & figure out what's next, as we the wizened team leaders labor feebly to transition it to caring hands that will decide its future in this changed social media landscape lol
January 15, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Also this thread of responses from @afleisch-anthro.bsky.social:
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
Thanks for this thread of responses @clmorgan.bsky.social
1) PhD funding has been cut + inflation, people don’t have the time or money for social media volunteering
2) so much noise to signal, it’s hard to cut through
3) what benefit is there to cutting through this noise? There’s no jobs.
4) a lot of people were alienated by the knives-out 2019-22 era
2) so much noise to signal, it’s hard to cut through
3) what benefit is there to cutting through this noise? There’s no jobs.
4) a lot of people were alienated by the knives-out 2019-22 era
January 15, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Thanks for this thread of responses @clmorgan.bsky.social
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
Let's start by not believing the claims being made corporations about these products when it comes to education. Do not let a whole generation be guinea pigs. Demand rigorous evidence of efficacy before incorporating into classrooms.
"The sweeping study... found that using AI in education can 'undermine children's foundational development' and that 'the damages it has already caused are daunting.'"
They include limiting kids' cognitive, social, and emotional developmen, and increasing inequity.
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/n...
They include limiting kids' cognitive, social, and emotional developmen, and increasing inequity.
www.npr.org/2026/01/14/n...
The risks of AI in schools outweigh the benefits, report says
A new report warns that AI poses a serious threat to children's cognitive development and emotional well-being.
www.npr.org
January 15, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Let's start by not believing the claims being made corporations about these products when it comes to education. Do not let a whole generation be guinea pigs. Demand rigorous evidence of efficacy before incorporating into classrooms.
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
Interesting take on settler #colonialism in an 'era of #reconciliation' published in @culanth.bsky.social's Fieldsites last summer.
What, after all, is wrong with settler good faith?
Being a settler is not inherently a moral failing, but a position in a structure of ongoing domination.
Joseph Weiss writes in "The Ruse of Settler Colonial Morality"
Being a settler is not inherently a moral failing, but a position in a structure of ongoing domination.
Joseph Weiss writes in "The Ruse of Settler Colonial Morality"
The Ruse of Settler Colonial Morality
Shortly after publishing my first book, Shaping the Future on Haida Gwaii (2018), I gave a talk in the community library of the Village of M...
www.culanth.org
January 15, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Interesting take on settler #colonialism in an 'era of #reconciliation' published in @culanth.bsky.social's Fieldsites last summer.
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
In 2025, educational censorship reached unprecedented heights as state and federal governments seek to restrict teaching and bend academic research to ideological whims. Read PEN America’s new report America’s Censored Campuses at: https://pen.org/report/americas-censored-campuses-25-web-of-control/
Expanding the Web of Control
Government censorship of free speech and academic freedom has reached unprecedented heights on U.S. campuses as lawmakers extend a web of political and ideological control over the sector.
pen.org
January 15, 2026 at 3:05 PM
In 2025, educational censorship reached unprecedented heights as state and federal governments seek to restrict teaching and bend academic research to ideological whims. Read PEN America’s new report America’s Censored Campuses at: https://pen.org/report/americas-censored-campuses-25-web-of-control/
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
New PEN America Report Warns of Expanding Web of Control as Politicians Escalate Campaign to Censor U.S. Colleges and Universities https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-warns-of-expanding-web-of-control-as-politicians-escalate-campaign-to-censor-u-s-colleges-and-universities/
PEN America Warns of Expanding Web of Control as Politicians Escalate Campaign to Censor U.S. Colleges and Universities
A new PEN America report on the state of higher education warns of an alarming political web of control on state and federal levels
pen.org
January 15, 2026 at 2:52 PM
New PEN America Report Warns of Expanding Web of Control as Politicians Escalate Campaign to Censor U.S. Colleges and Universities https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-warns-of-expanding-web-of-control-as-politicians-escalate-campaign-to-censor-u-s-colleges-and-universities/
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
In all seriousness, a time machine.
What would it take to make #AnthroSky what #AnthroTwitter was?
January 15, 2026 at 1:36 AM
In all seriousness, a time machine.
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
Still going. Jump in when you can. I'm currently thinking about @timelfen.bsky.social's note about mourning what was, not trying to recreate something that's past...and finding other avenues to start again.
Great conversation happening here and under the original post!
Don't miss out!
Don't miss out!
Good question. It would be great if we could find some ways to rebuild some of those networks (while also avoiding what happened with Twitter in which it could all be destroyed with a change in ownership). Many anthros are on here...it's a matter of finding/creating ways to bring folks together.
January 15, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Still going. Jump in when you can. I'm currently thinking about @timelfen.bsky.social's note about mourning what was, not trying to recreate something that's past...and finding other avenues to start again.
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
Below, anthropologists thinking about how to build community on bluesky, a lovely goal.
What would it take to make #AnthroSky what #AnthroTwitter was?
January 14, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Below, anthropologists thinking about how to build community on bluesky, a lovely goal.
Great conversation happening here and under the original post!
Don't miss out!
Don't miss out!
Good question. It would be great if we could find some ways to rebuild some of those networks (while also avoiding what happened with Twitter in which it could all be destroyed with a change in ownership). Many anthros are on here...it's a matter of finding/creating ways to bring folks together.
What would it take to make #AnthroSky what #AnthroTwitter was?
January 14, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Great conversation happening here and under the original post!
Don't miss out!
Don't miss out!
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
Good question. It would be great if we could find some ways to rebuild some of those networks (while also avoiding what happened with Twitter in which it could all be destroyed with a change in ownership). Many anthros are on here...it's a matter of finding/creating ways to bring folks together.
What would it take to make #AnthroSky what #AnthroTwitter was?
January 14, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Good question. It would be great if we could find some ways to rebuild some of those networks (while also avoiding what happened with Twitter in which it could all be destroyed with a change in ownership). Many anthros are on here...it's a matter of finding/creating ways to bring folks together.
What, after all, is wrong with settler good faith?
Being a settler is not inherently a moral failing, but a position in a structure of ongoing domination.
Joseph Weiss writes in "The Ruse of Settler Colonial Morality"
Being a settler is not inherently a moral failing, but a position in a structure of ongoing domination.
Joseph Weiss writes in "The Ruse of Settler Colonial Morality"
The Ruse of Settler Colonial Morality
Shortly after publishing my first book, Shaping the Future on Haida Gwaii (2018), I gave a talk in the community library of the Village of M...
www.culanth.org
January 14, 2026 at 5:04 PM
What, after all, is wrong with settler good faith?
Being a settler is not inherently a moral failing, but a position in a structure of ongoing domination.
Joseph Weiss writes in "The Ruse of Settler Colonial Morality"
Being a settler is not inherently a moral failing, but a position in a structure of ongoing domination.
Joseph Weiss writes in "The Ruse of Settler Colonial Morality"
What would it take to make #AnthroSky what #AnthroTwitter was?
January 14, 2026 at 2:01 PM
What would it take to make #AnthroSky what #AnthroTwitter was?
Immobilization plays a central role in unbuilding projects that involve unruly toxicity. The unbuilding of a nuclear power station requires the building of new & extensive infrastructures of disposal to immobilize nuclear waste.
Penny Harvey in our series "Unbuilding"
www.culanth.org/fieldsights/...
Penny Harvey in our series "Unbuilding"
www.culanth.org/fieldsights/...
Immobilization
Immobilization plays a central role in unbuilding projects that involve unruly toxicity. In the twenty-first century, unbuilding by design has be...
www.culanth.org
January 13, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Immobilization plays a central role in unbuilding projects that involve unruly toxicity. The unbuilding of a nuclear power station requires the building of new & extensive infrastructures of disposal to immobilize nuclear waste.
Penny Harvey in our series "Unbuilding"
www.culanth.org/fieldsights/...
Penny Harvey in our series "Unbuilding"
www.culanth.org/fieldsights/...
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
Happy New Year everyone! May you enjoy 2026 like we enjoyed our awards ceremony at the #AAA2025! #anthropology #MedicalAnthropology #SMA #ethnography
January 13, 2026 at 5:32 AM
Happy New Year everyone! May you enjoy 2026 like we enjoyed our awards ceremony at the #AAA2025! #anthropology #MedicalAnthropology #SMA #ethnography
Reposted by Society for Cultural Anthropology
The Political Ecology Society (PESO) is a cosponsor for our upcoming Annual Meeting in Albuquerque. Here are a few PESO sessions we have planned for #SfAA2026.
Visit our website for more info: appliedanthro.org/annual-meeti...
#SfAA #SocialScience #Anthropology #AppliedAnthropology #PESO
Visit our website for more info: appliedanthro.org/annual-meeti...
#SfAA #SocialScience #Anthropology #AppliedAnthropology #PESO
January 13, 2026 at 11:54 AM
The Political Ecology Society (PESO) is a cosponsor for our upcoming Annual Meeting in Albuquerque. Here are a few PESO sessions we have planned for #SfAA2026.
Visit our website for more info: appliedanthro.org/annual-meeti...
#SfAA #SocialScience #Anthropology #AppliedAnthropology #PESO
Visit our website for more info: appliedanthro.org/annual-meeti...
#SfAA #SocialScience #Anthropology #AppliedAnthropology #PESO