American Anthropological Association

The Annual Meeting of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region was held on June 15, 2011.  The theme of the meeting as well as an ongoing discussion series is Putting Race on the Table.  This meeting was presented to coincide with the RACE: Are We So Different? exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

To read more about the event click here.  To view a video of one of the discussion in the Putting Race on the Table series click here.

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The American Association for the Advancement of Science has called for nominations for the 2011 Philip Hauge Abelson Award.  This award, which was established in 1985, is given to a public servant for exceptional contributions to advancing science or a scientist who has achieved notable scientific achievement and has given other notable services to the scientific community.

The deadline for nominations is September 1, 2011.

For more information on submitting a nomination and to see past recipients please click here.

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There are currently three amendments to the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies spending bill (HR 2584) that would reduce funding to the National Endowment for the Humanities.  There propose amendments may be voted on in the House later this week.  These amendments are as follows:

• Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA): Amendment to reduce NEH funding by $2,510,000.
• Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA): Amendment to reduce NEH funding by $13,500,000.
• Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI):  Amendment to reduce NEH funding by $10,600,000.

If you would like more information on these proposed amendments or if you would like to know how to oppose these amendments, click here .

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Interesting new article written by the Chair of the Task Force for Comprehensive Ethics Review, Dena Plemmons, and the former Chair of the Commission on the Engagement of Anthropology with the US Security and Intelligence Communities, Robert Albro, is on the Social Science Research Council website.  The article looks at the issue of ethics in the social sciences.  Click here to read this article.

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The National Science Foundation’s Office of International Science and Engineering has published a new Partnerships for International Research and Education solicitation.  This round will be exclusively focused on sustainability through an interdisciplinary approach.

The preliminary proposals are due October 19, 2011.  For more information please click here  and tune into the Webinar on July 28, at 3pm which will share information on the Partnership for International Research and Education and answer questions about the solicitation.

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The National Science Foundation is offering a grant opportunity for cultural anthropology.  The deadline for the fall funding cycle is August 16, 2011.

This grand is through the Cultural Anthropology Program at the NSF.  The research may be at any scale from local to global so long as it will contribute to theory which is temporally and spatially specific and extends understanding beyond the individual case study.

This grant is open to anthropologist at all levels of their careers as well as for proposals for workshops and training programs or to supplement current awards to support Research Experience for Undergraduates and Graduates.  All sub-fields of cultural anthropology are eligible.

For more information please click here.

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The National Science Foundation is offering a grant opportunity for cultural anthropologists who are active researchers to upgrade their methodological skills.  The purpose of this grant is to help cultural anthropologists improve their research abilities through learn a specific analytical technique.

The deadline is August 16, 2011. For more information please click here.

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According to AAAS, the Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award is given to scientists or engineers or their associations whose exemplary actions have served to foster scientific freedom and responsibility. Such achievements can include: acting to protect the public’s health, safety or welfare; focusing public attention on important potential impacts of science and technology on society by their responsible participation in public policy debates; or establishing important new precedents in carrying out the social responsibilities or in defending the professional freedom of scientists and engineers.

This prestigious award has been given since 1980. The successful candidate receives a plaque and $5000 and is honored at a ceremony at the AAAS Annual Meeting.

The award is open to all regardless of nationality or citizenship. Additionally, although some award winners are distinguished scientists or scholars, this is not a requirement for award selection.

The nomination deadline is September 1, 2011.

Please click here for information on nomination procedures and a list of past recipients.

For more information or for guidance before beginning the nomination process please contact Deborah Runkle at 202.326.6794 or drunkle@aaas.org.

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The Root is an online magazine that provides commentary on important newsworthy events from a black perspective. A recent multimedia posting highlights the traveling exhibition, Race: Are We So Different?, by the American Anthropological Association funded by the Ford Foundation and the National Science Foundation which is currently at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. In the Root article curator of the exhibit, Yolanda Moses, discusses the intention of the Race project as well as 15 facts you ought to know about race. This innovative multimedia article debunks common myths pretaining to race and racisim.

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Yesterday the House Appropriations Subcommitee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies passed legislation that recommends $5.6 billion in funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and while that number is a $43 million dollar increase over last year’s funding level, it’s a full $646 million less than what was originally requested by the President in his budget request.

A commitment from the current Administration towards developing competent and productive scientific research in all disciplines should be honored by the Appropriations Committee. Furthermore, a multi-disciplinary approach to research and development of technologies for economic and social growth is an important tool utilized by scientists today and should be allowed to continue as it is an approach that has fueled American progress for decades. As the Committee outlined its funding priorities in its legislation, it excluded the areas of scientific research listed under the NSF Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE). This lack of attention to the SBE will inhibit scientific progress and international competitiveness.

Contact your member of Congress and Members of the Appropriations Committee and ask them to support the President’s budget request for the NSF, and outline the work of the SBE as a priority for the agency.

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