Anthropology: Organizations and Associations

This Association's goals are to advance anthropology as the science that studies humankind in all its aspects, through archeological, biological, ethnological, and linguistic research; and to further the professional interests of American anthropologists, including the dissemination of anthropological knowledge and its use to solve human problems. There is an undergraduate student membership rate. Members have access to career resources, research databases and journals, volunteer opportunities and courses.

The American Association of Biological Anthropologists, or AABA, is the world's leading professional organization for biological anthropologists. There is a student membership rate. There is a career center that provides information about academic and non-academic career paths. Members have access to the Association's journal.

As an independent network, the project brings together those eager to improve anthropology’s relevance in the world through a greater emphasis on career readiness. The website has great resources regarding jobs and careers, a newsletter, career related Anthropology resources, and chances to network.

The Colorado Archaeological Society is a non-profit organization committed to the stewardship of archaeological resources in Colorado. They achieve this through public education, research, conservation, advocacy, and enhanced opportunities for responsible participation in archaeology for interested individuals and organizations. Members can go on field trips to sites around Colorado and the western U.S.

DMNS' Anthropology department seeks to document and understand the human communities of the Rocky Mountain region and beyond through study of their material cultures while adhering to the guiding ethical principles of respect, reciprocity, and dialogue. Through ethnology (the study of recent and living peoples) and archaeology (the study of ancient human cultures), the department investigates human diversity in our rapidly transforming world and shares with the public the excitement of the discipline’s art and science.

Lambda Alpha supports scholarship and research by acknowledging and honoring superior achievement in the discipline among students engaged in the study of anthropology. Superior academic performance is recognized through membership in the society. Lambda Alpha rewards academic excellence through the annual awarding of student scholarships, research grants, and student paper prizes.

The Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification (PAAC) is a beneficial education program designed for the avocational archaeologist. Initially established by the Office of the State Archaeologist of Colorado (OSAC) and the Colorado Archaeological Society (CAS), the program has granted certifications since 1978. PAAC allows anyone with an interest in the archaeological record of Colorado to receive training outside of an academic degree program. It is now offered by History Colorado.

The Rocky Mountain Biological Anthropology Association (RMBAA, pronounced Roomba) is a nonprofit (501(c)(3)), student-focused organization with the purpose of advancing the science of biological anthropology in the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. RMBAA is a student-centered organization, therefore student membership costs significantly less than regular membership. There is no separate fee for attending the annual conference. The annual conference offers a Professional Development Workshop for students.

The Society for Applied Anthropology aspires to promote the integration of anthropological perspectives and methods in solving human problems throughout the world; to advocate for fair and just public policy based upon sound research; to promote public recognition of anthropology as a profession; and to support the continuing professionalization of the field. There is a reduced student membership rate. They publish podcasts of their annual meeting sessions.

Join the Society for American Archaeology to gain access to networking and educational opportunities. One in four of the members are students. (There is a discounted student rate.) There is a robust career center with information about internships, scholarships, and jobs.