AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST

Scope & Guideline

Innovating the study of humanity through rigorous research.

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0002-7294
PublisherWILEY
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1888 to 1959, 1961, 1963, from 1965 to 1966, from 1970 to 2024
AbbreviationAM ANTHROPOL / Am. Anthropol.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'American Anthropologist' aims to advance the field of anthropology through a diverse array of research topics and methodologies, reflecting the evolving nature of human societies and cultural practices. Its commitment to social justice, decolonization, and interdisciplinary approaches is evident in the breadth of its published works.
  1. Cultural Anthropology:
    The journal emphasizes cultural anthropology, exploring the intricacies of cultural practices, beliefs, and social structures across various communities worldwide.
  2. Decolonization and Indigenous Studies:
    There is a strong focus on decolonization, examining the impacts of colonialism on Indigenous peoples and advocating for Indigenous rights and knowledge systems.
  3. Environmental and Political Anthropology:
    Research often intersects with environmental issues and political dynamics, addressing how cultural practices relate to ecological challenges and governance.
  4. Ethnographic Methods and Approaches:
    The journal promotes diverse ethnographic methodologies, encouraging innovative approaches to fieldwork and participant observation in various contexts.
  5. Social Justice and Activism:
    A significant aim is to address social justice issues through anthropological insights, emphasizing activism and advocacy within and beyond academic circles.
  6. Multispecies and More-than-Human Perspectives:
    The journal increasingly incorporates multispecies perspectives, exploring the relationships between humans and non-human entities in anthropological research.
The 'American Anthropologist' has seen a rise in interest in several key themes, reflecting the journal's responsiveness to contemporary global challenges and the evolving landscape of anthropological inquiry.
  1. Decolonial Theory and Practice:
    Recent publications increasingly emphasize decolonial frameworks, highlighting the need to challenge and rethink anthropological practices and knowledge production in relation to colonial histories.
  2. Climate Change and Environmental Justice:
    A notable surge in research addressing climate change impacts and environmental justice indicates a prioritization of ecological concerns and the social implications of environmental degradation.
  3. Global Health and Pandemic Studies:
    The journal has seen a rise in articles exploring the anthropological dimensions of global health crises, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrating the intersection of health, culture, and society.
  4. Digital Anthropology:
    There is an emerging focus on digital anthropology, examining the implications of technology on social interactions, cultural practices, and identity formation in a rapidly digitizing world.
  5. Multispecies Relations and Eco-Anthropology:
    A growing interest in multispecies relations reflects a shift towards understanding human interactions with non-human entities, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life forms.

Declining or Waning

While 'American Anthropologist' continues to address a wide range of themes, certain areas of focus appear to be declining in prominence. These waning themes reflect shifts in the field's priorities and evolving societal contexts.
  1. Traditional Archaeology:
    There is a noticeable decline in papers solely focused on traditional archaeological methods and findings, as the journal shifts toward more contemporary and applied anthropological issues.
  2. Historical Anthropology:
    Research that strictly adheres to historical anthropology, without integrating present-day implications or connections, is becoming less frequent.
  3. Biological Anthropology:
    Papers centered solely on biological anthropology topics, such as human evolution or genetics, seem to be less represented in recent issues, indicating a broader focus on cultural and social dimensions.
  4. Western-centric Perspectives:
    There is a waning interest in anthropological analyses that are predominantly Western-centric, with a growing emphasis on non-Western voices and experiences.
  5. Methodological Essentialism:
    A decline in works that rely on rigid methodological frameworks without considering the fluid and dynamic nature of cultural practices is evident, as the field moves towards more integrative approaches.

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