All presenters must register, whether participating on-site or virtually.
Please note:
- You must be logged in and registered for the Annual Meeting to access the submission form; otherwise, the button won’t appear.
- Abstracts are limited to 100 words (excluding title and author names).
- Deadline for abstract submission is October 15.
- Abstracts submitted after October 15 may not receive the customary thorough review.
- Acceptance notifications will be sent by December 20. To ensure receipt, please do not unsubscribe to our emails.
The SfAA Annual Meeting will take place primarily in person, with an option for pre-recorded presentations available online.
Please note:
- Once your abstract is submitted, you cannot change your session or presentation format.
- If presenting in person but unable to attend, you may send a recording or paper to your session chair.
- Online presenters must submit a pre-recorded presentation, even if they later attend in person.
Detailed presentation options are outlined below.
| Presentation Type | Format Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Organized Session, Panels, and Roundtables | In-Person or Online (pre-recorded) |
Two options available:
Mixed in-person/Zoom sessions are not supported due to venue technology limitations. Format changes are only permitted if converting to pre-recorded by the deadline. |
| Volunteered Papers | In-person or Online (pre-recorded) |
In-person volunteered papers will be organized into on-site sessions. Online volunteer papers will be pre-recorded and made available through the SfAA app. |
| Posters | In-Person only | Posters must be displayed on-site and presented during the designated in-person poster session. |
Please note:
Multiple Participation Policy
To accommodate our growing meeting and new members, the Board of Directors has established a multiple participation policy.
It is the policy of the Society for Applied Anthropology to limit contributions to the Annual Meeting to “each role just once, up to two roles altogether.” These two roles are presenter (paper, roundtable, workshop, film) and secondary (session chair, discussant, poster).
- Each presenter must register individually and submit their own abstract.
- Presenters are responsible for listing all co-authors in their submission.
- Co-authors who plan to co-present (on-site or virtually) must register separately.
- If your paper or video is part of an organized session, include the session title and the session organizer’s name in your submission.
- Discussants and panelists must register for the Annual Meeting but do not need to submit an abstract.
Traditional Paper Sessions
The most common session format includes formal presentations (15–20 minutes each) on a shared topic.
Submission Requirements
- The session chair registers and submits the session abstract, participant names, and paper titles.
- Each presenter must register and submit their own paper abstract.
Session Format
- Usually includes 5 papers.
- Each presentation lasts about 18 minutes.
- About 20 minutes is reserved for introductions, discussion, and audience questions.
- Timing may vary depending on the number of presenters and the chair’s schedule.
Multiple-Part (Double) Sessions
For larger groups with 7–10 related papers, organizers may request a double session.
Submission Requirements
- Submit a separate form for each session part (e.g., Part 1 and Part 2).
- Session abstracts may be the same or different but should clearly identify the part number.
- Each form must include the appropriate participant list and paper titles.
- All presenters must register and submit their own abstracts.
Note
- Scheduling the two parts back-to-back can be difficult but is possible.
Panel Sessions (No Papers)
Panelists give brief comments followed by a moderated audience discussion.
Submission Requirements
- The organizer registers and submits the panel abstract and participant list.
- Panelists must register but do not submit individual abstracts.
Roundtable Sessions (No Papers)
An informal discussion among participants, with less emphasis on audience Q&A.
Submission Requirements
- The organizer registers and submits the roundtable abstract and participant list.
- Participants must register but do not submit abstracts.
Open Discussions (No Papers)
An informal conversation led by one facilitator or a group of panelists on a specific topic.
Submission Requirements
- The organizer registers and submits the discussion abstract and any participant list.
- If participants are listed, use the Panel submission form.
- Participants must register but do not submit abstracts.
Workshops differ from other session types in two important ways:
- Format: Workshops are typically more structured and instructional. The organizer serves as a specialist or instructor, and participants attend to learn a specific skill or specialty.
- Fee collection: SfAA collects fees for all workshops. Workshop pricing is $10 per hour (administrative cost). If an organizer wishes to be reimbursed, the fee will be raised an additional percentage. Workshop organizers may choose to receive payment at a rate of 0%, 25%, or 50% of the workshop fee. Organizers are responsible for purchasing their own materials and transporting them to the meeting venue.
As workshops require meeting rooms where sessions could be held, we recommend a minimum of 8 registrants for the workshop to make the program.
To encourage new ideas and topics, individuals may propose only one workshop for the annual meeting and are subject to SfAA’s annual meeting role-limit policy.
Preferred length of workshops are two hours. If presenters offer a three-hour workshop, it will be scheduled from 3:45-6:45 p.m. Any workshop longer than three hours will be scheduled on Tuesday or Saturday.
If there is an insufficient enrollment, the SfAA reserves the right to cancel the workshop.
Workshops are Onsite Only. No online workshops will be available.
Organizers must contact the SfAA Office to discuss any type of exhibit (photos, art, etc.) or performance so that proper arrangements can be made for space, room setup, easels, length of time, and any other necessities.
How to submit:
- Register for the Annual Meeting using the Advanced Registration Form.
- Once registered, return to this page
- Click on the link for the type of abstract you are submitting.
- To begin an abstract submission, choose one of the following options, Register Yourself – submit your own abstract or Register Guest – submit an abstract for another person.
Please note:
- Abstracts must be 100 words or fewer.
- Abstracts received after October 15 may not receive the customary thorough review.
