Delmos J. Jones (1936-1999) was a pioneering applied anthropologist whose scholarship and activism profoundly shaped the discipline. A committed advocate for racial and social justice, Jones challenged anthropologists to confront inequality both in their research and within the profession. His work focused on power, oppression, and the ethical responsibilities of anthropologists working with marginalized communities.

Jones held faculty positions at several institutions, including the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the Doctoral Program in Anthropology at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY), where he influenced generations of students. Jones is perhaps best known for his critical writings on the politics of anthropology, including the widely cited essay “Towards a Native Anthropology,” which argued for the inclusion of underrepresented voices in anthropological research and practice.

A long-time member of the Society for Applied Anthropology, Jones championed efforts to diversify the field and to ground anthropological work in social action. In his memory, the Del Jones Memorial Fund was established to support student participation in the SfAA Annual Meeting—particularly for those from historically underrepresented groups—reflecting his enduring commitment to equity and inclusion in applied anthropology.