CIFAS

10/13/2026

Submissions for the Comitas Institute Award for Public Knowledge & Engagement close in two days, on October 15 at 11:59 pm CT.

Two $5,000 prizes are awarded annually for ethnographic research published as a book, film, graphic novel, or other media. The award is open to researchers at any career stage, in any country; work in any language is eligible.

Requirements: https://www.cifas.us/prizes

10/12/2026

Three days remain. A complete submission comprises:

· Curriculum vitae, five pages or less
· Research statement covering the project, intellectual merit, broader impact, and social relevance
· A digital copy of the publication
· Supplementary materials demonstrating public engagement

International submissions are welcome, and work in any language is eligible with an English translation.

Materials should be sent to [email protected] by October 15, 11:59 pm CT. Full requirements: https://www.cifas.us/prizes

10/09/2026

Roberto J. González received the Comitas Institute Award for Public Knowledge & Engagement in 2026 for War Virtually: The Quest to Automate Conflict, Militarize Data, and Predict the Future.

Based on ethnographic research among technologists, defense start-ups, and military planners, the book examines the incorporation of artificial intelligence into intelligence and combat systems, and the relationships among the defense sector, the technology industry, and venture capital. González also authored a public report for Brown University's Costs of War project, and the book has been the subject of some thirty media interviews and invited talks.

Submissions for the 2027 award close October 15. Details: https://www.cifas.us/prizes

10/08/2026

Jordan Thomas received the Comitas Institute Award for Public Knowledge & Engagement in 2026 for When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World, a National Book Award nominee.

Drawing on fieldwork with an elite wildfire crew, the book situates megafires within the histories of settler colonialism, extractive land use, and the corporate capture of public agencies. Thomas has since written and spoken on the subject for the New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN, PBS, and NPR, and the book has entered public debate on wildfire policy.

Submissions for the 2027 award close October 15. Details: https://www.cifas.us/prizes

10/07/2026

The Comitas Institute Award: two $5,000 prizes for ethnographic research that reaches the public. Closes October 15, 2026.

The Comitas Institute Award for Public Knowledge & Engagement, presented with the Society for Applied Anthropology, honors research rooted in rigorous fieldwork and published as a book, film, graphic novel, or other media.

Open to researchers at any career stage, in academia or beyond. International submissions welcome. Work first published between October 15, 2024 and October 15, 2026, in any language.

Email your CV, research statement, a copy of the publication, and materials showing public engagement to [email protected] by October 15, 11:59 pm CT. Full requirements: https://www.cifas.us/prizes

Past recipients include Jordan Thomas (When It All Burns, a National Book Award nominee) and Roberto J. González (War Virtually).

Named for the Comitas Institute, founded by Professor Lambros Comitas to support the application of anthropology to human and planetary problems.

Please tag colleagues whose work meets the criteria.

07/01/2026

Last Chance: A Few Spots Still Available for the CIFAS Field School in Ethnographic Research Methods

Applications are still open for the CIFAS Field School in Ethnographic Research Methods, with a limited number of spots remaining in both the on-site New York City cohort in July 2026 and the online August 2026 cohort.

This is the final opportunity to join this year’s program.

The CIFAS Field School is an intensive, hands-on training program for students, researchers, faculty, and professionals who wish to develop or strengthen their skills in ethnographic research. Through seminars, guided fieldwork, collaborative analysis, and individualized feedback, participants gain practical experience with core ethnographic methods and the broader ethical and methodological questions that shape qualitative research.

The program is especially relevant for those working in anthropology, sociology, education, public health, urban studies, design, architecture, media studies, development studies, environmental studies, social work, and other fields that use qualitative and ethnographic approaches to understand social life.
Participants will have the opportunity to develop skills in ethnographic observation, interviewing, fieldnote writing, and qualitative analysis; receive feedback on research design, fieldwork strategies, and analytical interpretation; and become part of an international learning community of scholars, students, and practitioners interested in ethnographic inquiry.

The on-site New York City cohort offers supervised fieldwork experience in one of the world’s most dynamic urban environments. The online August cohort provides a flexible and interactive format for participants who wish to engage deeply with ethnographic methods from wherever they are based.

The course is open to advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, independent researchers, and professionals.

A few places remain available, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the remaining spots are filled.

More information about the program and application process is available here: https://www.cifas.us/field-school/

Please feel free to circulate this announcement to students, colleagues, and networks who may be interested.

04/28/2026

And we're also on Instagram:

19 Followers, 18 Following, 3 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from The Comitas Institute (.institute)

04/28/2026

We're on LinkedIn! Check out our profile:

Comitas Institute For Anthropological Study (CIFAS) | 4 followers on LinkedIn. The Comitas Institute supports ethnographic research that addresses critical issues in contemporary society. | Named for its founder, Professor Lambros Comitas, The Comitas Institute for Anthropological Study (CIFAS) envi...