Hello everyone,
Having shifted to an electronic format for AnthropoLog, we are now pleased to be able to deliver another issue this year filled with an array of stories on happenings in the Department of Anthropology. This is wonderful since we have so much exciting news to share. I am particularly pleased to report that three of our faculty members received promotions this year. Biocultural anthropologist Patricia Kramer, whose work focuses on the evolution of bipedalism in early hominids, is now a Research Associate Professor. Last year Dr. Kramer was a consultant for the Pacific Science Center to help design the special exhibit on Australopithecus afarensis entitled “Lucy’s Legacy.” Sociocultural anthropologist Rachel Chapman, whose work focuses on women’s reproductive healthcare in Mozambique, was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure. She has a spectacular book in press entitled Family Secrets, in which she describes how African women manage reproductive care in light of the numerous physical and spiritual risks faced during pregnancy. And finally, biocultural anthropologist Steven Goodreau, whose work examines the effects of social networks on the spread of diseases such as HIV, has also been promoted to Associate Professor with tenure. Dr. Goodreau is currently advising the Office of AIDS Research at the National Institute of Health (NIH) to coordinate HIV prevention across the NIH and develop a prevention strategy that will be part of the White House national strategy. They each demonstrate that our faculty is making amazing contributions to the University and beyond.
This year we have also celebrated several outstanding achievements among members of our department. Last December at the annual meeting of the American Anthropological Association several people received prizes in recognition of outstanding research. Adjunct Professor Noel Chrisman was the recipient of the George Foster Practicing Medical Anthropology Award. This award recognizes research that engages a multidisciplinary audience and has a significant impact on pubic policy. Sociocultural anthropologist Janelle Taylor was awarded the Eileen Basker Memorial Prize for her book, Public Life of the Fetal Sonogram: Technology, Consumption and the Politics of Reproduction. This award is given for a piece of work judged to be the most courageous, significant and potentially influential contribution to scholarship on health and gender. Additionally, Jessica Johnson, doctoral student in the sociocultural anthropology program, was the recipient of the Association of Political and Legal Anthropology paper prize for a paper based on her dissertation entitled, “Masculinity, War, and Sacrifice at Home.” What a banner year for our department. Please join me in congratulating everyone on these fabulous accomplishments.
In this issue of e-AnthropoLog we share a variety of stories about exciting new developments in research and teaching, as well as news from our faculty, alumni and donors. And as ever, we love staying in touch with all our friends of anthropology.
Best,
Bettina