About

This is your gateway to learning about NAPA. The resources in this section will help you to better understand the association and get more involved in NAPA.

The National Association for the Practice of Anthropology (NAPA) was founded as a section of the American Anthropological Association (AAA) in 1983 to represent practicing anthropology. Many NAPA members are established or are planning careers as practicing professionals linked into government, business, and other networks outside of the academy. Many in NAPA leadership work outside of academic settings.

NAPA strives to support the interests of practicing and applied anthropologists within the AAA. We offer many activities during the annual meetings, including sessions, workshops, a Careers Expo, instant mentoring, and networking events.

In addition, NAPA has a mentoring program, publishes a journal (Annals of Anthropological Practice) and a newsletter (NAPA Notes), and coordinates several social media outlets.

NAPA members work in a diverse range of positions and sectors, including all levels of federal, state, local, and tribal governments; the nonprofit world (from local organizations to international nongovernmental organizations); and the for-profit world (from small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations). Many members work as independent consultants or manage their own consulting and research firms. In addition, NAPA also has many members who are full- or part-time faculty, doing applied work and educating the next generation of practitioners.

A significant proportion of NAPA members are students, and NAPA puts significant effort into supporting students through the mentoring program and also by sponsoring an annual student paper award and other activities.

NAPA is managed by a Governing Council, which meets in person twice a year to discuss relevant topics and vote on initiatives affecting the membership. There are also several committees within NAPA, and the Governing Council includes both elected members and committee chairs.

Along with NAPA, you may know about the Society for Applied Anthropology (SfAA). Although we both address applied anthropology and have a great deal of overlap in our memberships, we don’t do quite the same thing. We are different organizations with different purposes and missions. NAPA and SfAA collaborate on some training and information exchange initiatives, but each offers its own publications and annual meeting opportunities. Being a member of both organizations gives you multiple benefits.

Mission Statement

NAPA promotes human-centered work applied to practical problems by linking a network of professional anthropologists working across employment sectors. We support all anthropologists in bringing real solutions to communities, organizations, and policymakers, by offering advocacy, information, networks, mentoring, and continuing education.

Purpose

The purpose of NAPA shall be to represent the practice of anthropology and the interests of practicing anthropologists within the American Anthropological Association, as well as other organizations and the general public, and to further the practice of anthropology as a profession.

Discover More

Governing Council
and Committees
NAPA ByLaws
NAPA History
Archives
Governing Council
and Committees

The Governing Council is composed of both elected positions and committee chairs, although only the elected positions can vote on matters of NAPA governance and policy. These dedicated individuals are the backbone of NAPA, helping to ensure that association business and activities are managed efficiently and effectively.

Elected Members:

President (2022-2024):
Rachel Hall-Clifford
rachelhallclifford@gmail.com

President-Elect (2024-2026:
tbd

Past-President (2020-2022):
Cathleen Crain
ccrain@ltgassociates.com

Treasurer (2022-2024):
Chad Morris
cmorris@roanoke.edu

Secretary:
Briana Nichols
brianan@gse.upenn.edu

Member-at-Large (2022-2024):
Suanna Crowley

Member-at-Large (2021-2023):
Suzette Chang
schang@thickdescriptions.org

Member-at-Large:
Jo Aiken
jonieaiken@gmail.com

Student Representative:
Abby Vidmar
abbyvidmar@usf.edu

Editor: Annals of Anthropological Practice
John Brett
john.brett@ucdenver.edu

COMMITTEE GROUPS
See brief Committee Descriptions

Communications (COM):
Communications (see committee page)
Committee Chair: Joshua Liggett
liggett.joshua@gmail.com

Newsletter (see committee page)

Editor-in-Chief: Vanessa Terry
vanessaterry625@gmail.com

Senior Editor: Ashley Meredith
meredith.ashley@gmail.com

AAP (Annals of Anthropological Practice)
Committee Co-Chair: John Brett
john.brett@ucdenver.edu
Committee Co-Chair: Ann Tezak
ann.l.tezak@vumc.org

Strategic Planning:
Strategic Planning Committee (see committee page)
Committee Co-Chair: Suzette Chang

schang@thickdescriptions.org

Member Engagement (ME):
Member Engagement Committee (see committee page)
Committee Chair: Toni Copeland
toni.copeland@ua.edu

Committee Co-Chair: TBD

Nominations
Rachel Hall-Clifford
rachelhallclifford@gmail.com

Cathleen Crain
ccrain@ltgassociates.com

Discipline/Organizational Development Group (DOD):
Ethics (see committee page):
Committee Chair:

Research & Studies
Committee Co-Chair: Kerry Fosher
kbfosher@gmail.com
Committee Co-Chair: Rachel Hall-Clifford
rachelhallclifford@gmail.com

Evaluation (Topical Interest Group)
Committee Chair: Eve Pinsker
evepinsker@gmail.com

OT School (Topical Interest Group)
Committee Co-Chair: Rachel Hall-Clifford
rachelhallclifford@gmail.com
Committee Co-Chair: Geyla Frank
gfrank@usc.edu

Professional Development (PD):
Mentoring (see committee page)
Committee Chair: Niel Tashima
ntashima@ltgassociates.com

Organizational Relations (see committee page)
Committee Co-Chair: Niel Tashima
ntashima@ltgassociates.com

Committee Co-Chair: Joshua Liggett
liggett.joshua@gmail.com

Program & Workshop (see committee page)
Committee Co-Chair: Erica Hawvermale
e.hawvermale@live.com

Committee Co-Chair: Cathleen Crain
ccrain@ltgassociates.com

Semi-annual Committee Reports
Committee reports are presented by their respective chairs twice a year at the Governing Council meetings. Select the “Archives” tab above to review past reports.

Special Interest Groups/Topical Interest Groups
NAPA supports the development of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) or Topical Interest Groups (TIGs) within the community of anthropological practice.

NAPA Expense Reimbursement

Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy
Expense Form: MS Word Version | PDF version

NAPA ByLaws

The bylaws of the National Association for the Practice of Anthropology, a section of the American Anthropological Association:

NAPA ByLaws 2017 (PDF format), adopted December 2017
NAPA ByLaws 2006-03-31 (PDF format), this is the prior version adopted October 2006, replacing the Bylaws of November 16, 1984

NAPA History

Founded in 1983, NAPA strives to promote the practice of anthropology, both within the discipline and among private, public, and nonprofit organizations. NAPA continues to grow as anthropologists engaged in practice have developed broader professional opportunities both inside and outside the academic realm.

There are currently around 500 NAPA members, working in a diverse range of sectors and positions. Members receive NAPA’s semi-annual “Annals of Anthropological Practice,” professional mentoring, networking opportunities, and discounts on NAPA-sponsored workshops. Select the “Archives” tab above to find out even more about NAPA’s history.

NAPA is a section of the American Anthropological Association (AAA), and NAPA members receive all AAA materials and benefits.