Call for Anthropology Section Award and Committee Nominations

The AAFS 2026 Annual Scientific Conference is on the horizon and section members should be aware that the conference will take place alongside early Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans. This is a very busy time in our state and we encourage all of you to make your travel plans as early as possible. AAFS has provided a useful resource to help you navigate travel-related issues (https://www.aafs.org/article/mardi-gras-faq-and-travel-advisory-aafs-2026).

In addition to preparing for the conference, the Anthropology Section wants to remind the membership that the deadlines for certain section awards and committee positions are fast approaching. Please consider nominating a colleague, student, or yourself for these opportunities. Some of these awards have not been given in several years due to a lack of nominations! Additional requirements and information about each award or committee can be found in the AAFS Policies and Procedures Manual. Be mindful of the due dates for each opportunity and submit nominations early. All nominations and submissions should be emailed directly to the Anthropology Section Chair, Teresa Wilson (tvwilson@lsu.edu).

Outstanding Mentorship Award (due October 1)
The Outstanding Mentorship Award recognizes and promotes mentorship in the AAFS Anthropology Section.

• Nominee is a Member/Fellow or Retired Member/Fellow of the AAFS Anthropology Section with a formal or informal mentorship role over students, trainees, and/or junior colleagues. This award can also be given posthumously.
• A written narrative of ~500 words explaining why the nominee is an outstanding mentor deserving of the award. A list of three (3) individuals supporting the nomination and their contact information. Preference will be given to nominations with at least one signatory who is a current student and/or a Student Affiliate of the Anthropology Section.

Caroline Bond Day Pilot Study Grant (due October 1)
The Caroline Bond Day Pilot Study Grant is awarded to aid student progress toward their degree and to assist in securing grants for research completion. The award focuses on Student Affiliates of the AAFS who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a program focused on the study of forensic anthropology, biological anthropology, human skeletal biology, forensic archaeology, human rights, or related fields.

• The applicant must submit a cover letter that outlines their current educational program, where they are in their studies, and how this grant will advance their research and educational/career goals. This cover letter must also briefly address how the individual fits the eligibility requirements. The cover letter should not be longer than 500 words. The applicant must also submit a research statement that is no more than two (2) pages and budget indicating how the funds will be used.

Cobb Public Engagement Award (due October 1)
The Cobb Public Engagement Award is awarded to a forensic anthropology practitioner who exemplifies public engagement between our discipline and the greater community.

• Applicants must have demonstrated meaningful public engagement and outreach regarding forensic anthropology or related fields. Any level of member may apply or be nominated for the Cobb Award, and nominations can come from any level of member.
• The nominee must submit a current CV; and a written statement (maximum two pages, single spaced, 12-pt. font) explaining the impact of their public engagement.  The nominee may include up to five pages of supporting documentation that demonstrates the impact of their work and level of public engagement (e.g., news coverage, relevant awards, evidence of community engagement). Letters of support may also be included in the application. 

Anthropology Section Board of Directors Representative (due December 15)

• Nominations for the section representative to the Board of Directors are open to Fellows. Both self-nominations and nominations by other section members are accepted. Nominations shall include a CV, and a brief statement of interest (600 words or less) highlighting the desire to serve and qualifications to fulfill the role (see duties of Board of Directors 1.3.2 – AAFS PPM).

Anthropology Section Program Committee (due December 15)

• Nominations for Program Committee are open to Members and Fellows.
• All nominations for the Program Committee shall include a CV and a brief statement of interest (600 words or less) highlighting the desire to serve in the position and qualifications to fulfill the role (see program chair duties 7.5.1 – AAFS PPM).

T. Dale Stewart Award (due December 15)
The T. Dale Stewart Award recognizes outstanding, career-long contributions to the field of forensic anthropology.

• The nominee must be a current, former, or retired Anthropology Section member, and the award may be given posthumously. The nominee shall be in the "late career" stage or retired, rather than early or mid-career stages.
• Nominations consist of either: (1) letters from multiple individuals all supporting the same nominee and detailing the nominee's outstanding lifetime contributions to forensic anthropology, or (2) a brief narrative (~500 words) that highlights the nominee's outstanding lifetime contributions to forensic anthropology and is signed by multiple individuals who support the nomination. Nominations should include a recent copy of the nominee's curriculum vitae.

Anthropology Section Student Liaison (due January 15)

• The successful candidate must be a graduate student and a Student Affiliate of the AAFS Anthropology Section at the time of application and through the duration of their appointment.
• The role of the student liaison is to: (1) share with section leadership and members their issues of interest and concern to the student members, (2) serve on the steering committee of the student forum, (3) share their ideas with section leadership to increase student participation, (4) communicate with students and the student forum what is happening at the level of section leadership and beyond, and (5) have the opportunity to share their findings with the section at the annual business meeting.
• Submit the following: 1. A CV; 2. A cover letter providing details concerning your status in your degree program (e.g., years in program and requirements completed such as "all but dissertation" [ABD]); 3. A short essay of 500 words or fewer indicating what you value as a student member of the AAFS and how you would promote students in the section.

If you have specific questions or concerns, please reach out (tvwilson@lsu.edu)!