January 3–5, 2007
Religion, Social Conscience, and the Global Age
Co-chaired by James F. Brooks, President, School for Advanced Research and Nicholas Rogers, Professor, Department of History, York University, Toronto, Canada
For the purpose of honoring the intellectual contributions of Susan L. Foote, former chair of SAR’s Board of Managers, this seminar brought participants together to focus on her scholarly interests in eighteenth-century religion and society, particularly evangelicalism, commerce, and philanthropy.
January 19–21, 2007
Ecologies of Hope
Chaired by Ravi Rajan, Provost, University of California, Santa Cruz
Interdisciplinary participants of this seminar came together with data gathered from sundry ethnographic studies conducted around the world in the field of political ecology. These scholars explore the impacts that political and social factors have on environmental issues, and the specific case studies brought to this seminar reflect efforts made to create reform for the disenfranchised at the micro level.
February 26–27, 2007
The Anthropology of Military and National Security Organizations
Co-chaired by Laura McNamara, Sandia National Laboratories and Neil L. Whitehead, Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Scholars convened to discuss the role of anthropology within national security organizations. Topics such as the dynamic relationship between anthropology and institutions of power, anthropological theories of violence, the personal politics of anthropologists, and the risks of war versus the benefits of academic knowledge possibly gleaned from war were discussed.
September 20–22, 2007
Women’s Empowerment for Health
Chaired by Melissa Smith, Medical Consultant, Hesperian Foundation
There are many factors jeopardizing women’s health around the world, such as inadequate access to food, water, sanitation facilities, and sufficient housing conditions. This seminar brought together six women from various organizations that strive to promote women’s health in a global context and within a framework of social justice. Participants constructed a vision for the compilation of valuable information gleaned from experiences working with grassroots groups worldwide.
September 28–29, 2007
Energy Development in Indian Country
Co-chaired by Brian W. Frehner, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater and Sherry L. Smith, Associate Director, William P. Clements Center, Southern Methodist University
This seminar addressed the issue of how energy development on current Indian lands in the United States constitutes both exploitation and opportunity. A major theme discussed was tribes’ demands to exercise greater sovereignty over their lands and the government’s growing support of this, and how renegotiated lease agreements return greater profits to tribes. Consequences to individual health as well as the environment were also discussed.