UNCAnthro

I came into an anthropology PhD program with a background in agronomy and applied anthropology. In the summer before the program started I read as much foundational theory as I could (Marx, Durkheim, Malinowski, Freud, etc) because I was worried about being too far behind. Looking back on it, I would have been better off reading some interesting novels, relaxing, and reflecting on what I wanted to get out of my PhD and research. It wasn't wasted time by any means, but realize that you'll be spending your first year reading a LOT of social theory and it might be best to let that happen when it happens. Also, remember that even if you don't have a strong background in anthropological theory, your background will bring other strengths and people will appreciate that. On fieldwork, in U.S. universities research abroad is almost required. It's different in the UK, where fewer do research abroad and some do not do original fieldwork.

Hi there, I'm currently doing ethnographic research in Brazil. I've done pre-dissertation research with a tourist visa but I currently have a vitem 1. My visa application was fairly simple because I have Fulbright funding and I think that cut through some of the red tape. But, I can try to answer any questions you have. Cheers!

A lot of journals publish a list of books they've received from publishers for review. Sometimes it's available digitally, sometimes only available in the print copy. Just email the editor (usually there is a separate editor for book reviews) to state your interest in reviewing a book and they will send you a copy of the book with instructions, a deadline, etc. It's a great way to get your name out there, to start publishing, get involved in the academic community, and to get a free book. I think generally they encourage PhD candidates to do this more than PhD students, but that's not a hard rule and it may also only be in my discipline (anthropology). Since you've already read the book, maybe you can search out some lists of books to be reviewed and find one that has yours listed? Otherwise, follow the advice above and email book review editors directly.

I think there are a few reasons not to submit the same work to different journals and to not take your professor's advice. First, I do think it's unethical, but that may be only in my field (anthropology). Second, most journals, regardless of the discipline, require you to certify that you haven't submitted it elsewhere. Third, a massive amount of free labor goes into reviewing a paper. At least three reviewers take time to read it, consider it, and write up sometimes quite detailed and thoughtful comments. Then the editor and editorial team...it would be a shame to waste their time if the paper was accepted in two journals. It's good your asking these questions.

I'll add one more, Wageningen University does some really interesting work in agrarian change, political ecology, and critical rural sociology.

I think the programs mentioned already are a great start. I'd add Arizona, Santa Cruz (check out Flora Lu's work), and Georgia. I'm a PhD candidate in Anthropology at UNC and I am several of my colleagues are doing food studies research with a focus on relationality and all that. You could check out our anthropology program as well as the geography department at UNC. I'd also add something to your advisor's comments. I would absolutely start looking around for professors who are doing work you are interested in. That won't necessarily result in working with them or even with you applying to their departments, but it would be a great way of finding what kind of research you like and what kind of research you don't like. Then, find out who they're citing, who is citing them, and you've got a list of people (and departments) that are of interest.

I'm a bit late to the game here, but congrats to all those who were awarded and good luck to those who are revising! If anyone is looking for a successful proposal to look at I'm willing to share mine, just PM me. To those who have received W-G along with other grants, how are you managing budget revisions? Any advice?

Thanks for checking!

Congrats to everybody going to Brazil, I'll also be packing my bags!

That's fantastic! Thanks for calling, I hope we do get news this week.

Just to add to what 33andathirdRPM already wrote, 1. Finding something for less than $500 could be pretty difficult. The best way to do this might be to find a roommate, (perhaps in your cohort if you've met a few people already?) and share a 2 bedroom place. Renting is a lot cheaper in Durham than Chapel Hill/Carrboro, but still not cheap. 2. As already mentioned, bus is possible, but taxi is far easier. 3. Not really sure, can you stay with a current graduate student you've met? 4. I would try zipcar.

Hi Anahid, I'm doing an ethnographic study of the soy boom in South America and transnational agriculture by studying North American farmers who are producing soy in Brazil. My main interest is whether there migration is spurred by an interest in capital accumulation or if it is a means of sustaining livelihoods, identities, and values in the face of a general farming crisis in the United States. Also, looking at what kind of associations, practices, and meanings emerge from their interaction with Brazilian workers, farmers, infrastructures, and ecologies. How about you, mate? Where are you applying to study?

Thanks, good luck to you too! Not sure what to make of 'soon,' but I hope you're right about announcements coming out this week. I'm finding it so hard to focus on anything else right now.

For anybody else applying for Brazil, it looks like notifications have gone out on Mondays for the past few years. So, maybe that means we can try to rest easy until next Monday. Probably not, but maybe. Good luck everybody.

Referring to the bike commute from Carrboro to Duke West Campus, it's certainly possible to bike to Durham using bike lanes, but I would suggest biking to UNC campus and taking the Robertson shuttle to Duke. You can bring your bike on the bus and there is no charge for the service once you get a (free) GoPass. The bus service runs fairly regularly and biking from Carrboro to UNC campus is not bad at all.

Before I say anything, I just want to say that I was in a very similar position at that point in my career and everything has worked out okay (so far). A bit of hard work and a lot of desire can get you very far. Have you thought about doing a master's? It's very difficult to get funding, but it can be a stepping stone to PhD programs. For applied anthro I would look at Oregon State's applied anthropology master's or even the program that I followed at Wageningen University in Holland. It was a great program, but you do have to be aware that not all application committees give foreign universities equal weight (in fact, few do). The website is http://www.mdr.wur.nl/UK/ if you're interested. If you're interested in the OSU program, PM me and I can connect you with some people in the program now. As far as field experience and language training, my best advice is to find an internship (preferably abroad) and take some kind of language training at that time. If you find work in a non-English country, exchange English lessons for foreign language lessons. If you work in the US or another English speaking country try to find language groups where you can practice (such as alliance francaise). Take my advice for what it is, nothing profound Good luck!

I think you do have to be registered for the conference to submit an abstract, but you don't have to be a member. I think you might want to become a member if you are going to register though, the difference in cost between members and non-members would just about pay for your membership. For what it's worth, I talked to my future supervisor and he advised me to wait a year to present at the AAAs and try to present as part of a session. I hope I can make it to Montreal anyways, but without funding it may be tough.

Honestly, I'm relatively new to US anthropology so I can't answer with any confidence. You should check out www.phds.org if you haven't already - very specific info on job placements, funding, reputation, etc. for each program and an easy way to compare programs across the discipline. The only negative is that you can't sort by socio-cultural, archeology, medical, etc, but you already have that figured out anyways.

Thanks a lot! I was happily surprised. I was accepted into the BARA group with Marcela Leon Vasquez as a supervisor. My research focus is quinoa cooperatives and intermediaries in Southern Bolivia. Good luck!

Sorry, should have clarified that - I was referring to U of A. I got a rejection letter from UCSC just a week or so ago.

Thanks for the advice mate, it's good to know I have some time to decide about going. I hope to be able to go though, maybe I'll see you there.

No news on funding yet, my POI left a voice message and said we could discuss funding options over the phone.

I just got a call yesterday from my POI congratulating me on acceptance. She seemed to think that I'd already been contacted and that wasn't the case, so if you've applied, I'd contact your POI. FYI, I wasn't asked for an interview.

I might be getting ahead of myself here, but I'm wondering if I should be registering for the AAA annual meeting in Montreal next November. The deadline to pre-register is April 15. I've just been accepted to a PhD program and I'd love to go to the annual meeting - can I assume that the costs will be covered by my department or is that not common? Will I be expected to go? I know this depends a lot from department to department, but any suggestions are welcome.

Sure, some application committees might prioritize a student with a degree from a prestigious university while others may give priority to the content of the student's master's thesis. Therefore, a choice between the prestigious uni and the best fitting program may limit some opportunities, but will surely open up others.