The American Anthropological Association seeks applications for a new Editor-in-Chief (or Coeditors-in-Chief) of the association’s flagship journal, American Anthropologist (AA), for a four-year term beginning January 1, 2027, with an additional year shadowing the current Editor-in-Chief, beginning January 1, 2026. We are currently accepting letters of interest from potential candidates, due April 21, 2025. 

Now in its second century, AA is the most widely circulated anthropology journal from the American Anthropological Association and publishes articles, reviews, and commentaries from across anthropological perspectives.  

Position Overview

The position of AA Editor-in-Chief (EIC) offers a unique opportunity to shape the discipline’s identity and future. The EIC is not expected to have expertise in all subfields of anthropology, but they must be interested in developing vital conversations within and across fields and forms of practice, contributing collaboratively to the global construction and circulation of anthropological knowledge. We expect this to include engagement with critical scholarly topics and public debate, as well as with new developments in digital publishing. Above all, the AAA Executive Board seeks an EIC who will maintain the journal’s editorial standards and position at the cutting edge of the field.  

The AAA Executive Board invites submissions from a wide range of candidate profiles. We wish to especially encourage applicants from underrepresented groups and diverse backgrounds. Institutional support is important but not required, and the association will ensure that essential support is provided. Previous editorial experience is preferred but not required, though candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge of journal publishing, including familiarity with submission and peer review software, as well as strong organizational and communication skills. We are also prepared to consider proposals for joint editorships. 

The position description is available here and will be used to assess candidacies.  

To Apply:

To apply for the position, please review the position description and fill out the interest form by April 21, 2025. If you have trouble accessing the form, you can email a letter of interest to Sean Mallin, AAA Director of Publishing (smallin@americananthro.org), and copy Dominic Boyer, AA Editor Search Committee Chair (Dominic.C.Boyer@rice.edu), by April 21, 2025. The letters should include a short paragraph (<200 words) describing your interest in the position and relevant editorial, publishing, or administrative experience, along with your CV. 

From the resulting pool, a shortlist of candidates will be contacted and asked to submit a vision statement and responses to several standard questions, contact information for two scholars who can provide letters of reference, and a letter outlining institutional support by August 22, 2025. Interviews with finalists will be conducted in September and October 2025.