Call for Applications: Critical Urban Anthropology Association (CUAA) Mentoring Program (2026-2027)

 

 

Deadline: September 30, 2026

The Critical Urban Anthropology Association (CUAA) is delighted to invite applications for the inaugural CUAA Mentoring Program, a year-long initiative designed to support advanced graduate students and early career professionals as they navigate key stages of their academic and professional journeys.

Running from November 2026 through August 2027, the program will bring together mentees and experienced CUAA scholars in five small mentoring pods, each organized around one of the following themes:

  • Academic publishing

  • Pursuing careers at liberal arts colleges and teaching-centered universities

  • Pursuing academic careers outside the United States

  • Professional networking and building connections

  • Pursuing careers outside of academia

Each pod will include at least one senior CUAA member serving as mentor, along with a small group of mentees who share similar interests and career aspirations. The program is designed to foster meaningful conversations, practical guidance, and lasting professional relationships in a supportive, collegial environment.

The program officially begins at the 2026 AAA Annual Meeting in St. Louis, where mentors and mentees will gather for a kickoff breakfast, followed by a formal meeting, on November 21 (Sat). These gatherings will provide an opportunity for each pod to get acquainted, discuss shared interests, and identify the topics they would like to explore throughout the year. Participants who are unable to attend the annual meeting in person will have an opportunity to join the kickoff meeting virtually.

During the spring and summer of 2027, each mentoring pod will hold at least two virtual meetings organized by the mentor(s). These sessions will provide space for participants to ask questions, discuss career challenges, receive individualized advice and coaching, exchange ideas with peers, and expand their professional networks within the CUAA community.

The program concludes at the 2027 AAA Annual Meeting, where mentors and mentees will reconvene for a closing breakfast. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences, share insights with the incoming mentoring cohort, and celebrate the connections they have built over the course of the year. Those who are unable to attend the meeting in person will be able to participate in the concluding gathering virtually.

Whether you are preparing your first manuscript, exploring career pathways, expanding your professional network, or considering opportunities beyond academia, the CUAA Mentoring Program offers a welcoming community of experienced scholars committed to supporting your success. We encourage you to apply and become part of this exciting new initiative.

To apply, please submit:

  • A brief biography (approximately 200 words) describing your thematic and geographical areas of interest and your current academic or professional position.

  • A statement of interest (approximately 200 words) explaining why you would like to participate in the mentoring program, indicating which of the five mentoring pods you wish to join and whether you plan to attend the 2026 AAA Annual Meeting in St. Louis in person.

Application deadline: September 30, 2026.

Please send your application materials and any questions about the program to Dr. Taku Suzuki (Denison University) at suzukit@denison.edu.