Maynooth University anthropologist, Dr Chandana Mathur, has been confirmed as Chair of the World Council of Anthropological Associations (WCAA). Dr Mathur served as Deputy Chair of the Council for the last two years.
Speaking on her appointment Dr Mathur observed: “Anthropology’s perspectives on human diversity are needed more than ever in today’s complicated world. It will be my priority over these two years to strengthen and intensify the WCAA’s network of networks and its advocacy of the voices of anthropology.”
The WCAA, a network of national, regional and international associations, grew out of the “world anthropologies” movement, an intellectual challenge to the longstanding dominance of Anglo-American anthropology and the side-lining of anthropological traditions from elsewhere. Founded in 2004, the WCAA now consists of fifty-two anthropological associations from all continents, ranging from the largest professional groupings – such as the American Anthropological Association and European Association of Social Anthropologists – to smaller ones like the Anthropological Association of Ireland.
Referring to this history, Dr Mathur commented, “It seems rather paradoxical to say this about an organisation that is represented by fifty-odd Chairs and Presidents of anthropological associations from around the world, but the WCAA is a deeply subversive project. It disrupts business-as-usual in our discipline because it has established itself as a forum where representatives from marginal and dominant world regions, and marginal and dominant anthropological traditions, meet on an equal footing.”
An important WCAA initiative is the journal Deja Lu (or ‘already read’), which republishes key articles selected and sent in by editors of anthropological journals worldwide. Swimming against the tide of commercial academic publishing, Deja Lu provides an expanded readership for writings that may otherwise have gone unnoticed internationally.
Key initiatives under Dr Mathur’s tenure as Chair will be a research project exploring where anthropologists are employed today, and in what institutional and political contexts anthropology is being practised; and a review of anthropological fieldwork and risk in a violent world.
Dr Mark Maguire, Head of Maynooth University Department of Anthropology, said: “I congratulate Dr Mathur on her appointment as Chair of the WCAA. The World Council is important as a scholarly network and as an advocacy body. Dr Mathur has already highlighted matters of importance, such as field research in conflict zones, and I look forward to her future contributions in this important position.”
Professor Philip Nolan, Maynooth University President, said: “We at Maynooth are delighted to hear that our colleague, Dr Chandana Mathur, has been elected Chair of the WCAA. This prestigious and important appointment arises from her international reputation as a scholar and anthropologist, and her leadership in the field. We congratulate her and wish her well.”