Human Rights Defender Student Travel Award

The Human Rights Defender Award is made possible by a generous donation from Michael Cavendish, a SfAA Sustaining Fellow, attorney, and passionate advocate for human rights. Cavendish, first introduced to applied anthropology’s connections to fields like law, journalism, and social work as a graduate student, established this award to foster similar insights in future scholars.

Learn more about Michael Cavendish

One $750 award is available to students who meet the following criteria:

  • Must have been enrolled as a student during part of the current year.
  • Must have an accepted paper or poster abstract for the SfAA Annual Meeting program.

The award helps support travel expenses to attend the SfAA Annual Meeting.

  • Submit a short essay (up to 500 words) describing your interest in human rights and how it connects with your research. The essay may also include details of past or current human rights advocacy.
  • Deadline: December 20
  • Announcement: Results will be announced in January.

A committee appointed by the SfAA President will evaluate the applications. In addition to reviewing the submitted essay and abstract, committee members will consider:

  • Prior involvement in human rights advocacy.
  • Thoughtful discussion of the link between human rights and applied social sciences.
  • How studying human rights can advance professional development in the social sciences.
  • Relevance of the submitted abstract to human rights.

This award embodies Michael Cavendish’s vision in establishing this award, inspired by United Nations Resolution 53/144: “Human rights defenders are vital everywhere, and anyone can be a human rights defender.” Each year, this award aims to highlight applied anthropology’s important role in human rights advocacy and professional growth.

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John Bodley Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper or poster abstract by the submission deadline.

Submission

Applicants must submit a short essay (up to 500 words) explaining how participation in the Annual Meeting will further your professional goals.

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Human Rights Defender Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper or poster abstract by the submission deadline.

Submission

Applicants must submit a short essay (up to 500 words) which describes their interest in human rights, and the conjunction of this topic to their applied research interests. The essay may include a description of prior and/or current human rights advocacy activities in which the student has engaged.

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Del Jones Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper abstract by the submission deadline. Students who are presenting a poster are not eligible.

Submission

Applicants must submit a short essay (up to 500 words) explaining how participation in the Annual Meeting will further your professional goals. The essay may also include information, which documents the interest of the applicant in efforts to transform the lives of disadvantaged peoples.

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Gil Kushner Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper or poster abstract which has been accepted for the annual meeting program. Following the contributions of Gil’s professional life, the abstract (and paper or poster) should be concerned with the persistence of cultural groups.

Submission

Applicants must submit a short essay (up to 500 words) explaining how participation in the annual meeting will further the professional goals of the applicant. The essay may also include information, which documents the interest of the applicant in the persistence of cultural groups.

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Bea Medicine Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper or poster abstract by the submission deadline.

Submission

Prospective student applicants should provide the following information and materials:
  • Address
  • Current College Where Enrolled
  • Major Field of Study
  • Native Tribe/Community Affiliation
  • One Page Career Goal Essay
Career Goal Essay:
Dr. Medicine's professional life was devoted to teaching and research, and with a particular commitment to expanding the understanding of Native people. As you prepare the essay on your career goals, you may wish to consider some of the following questions.
  • What would I like to do in the future and how will this benefit other people?
  • How have my career plans evolved over time and what has influenced this evolution?
  • Are there particular ways that I think the social sciences can lead to a better understanding of the human condition?
  • How would my attendance at the SfAA Annual Meeting help to further my career interests?
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Spicer Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper abstract by the submission deadline. Students who are presenting a poster are not eligible.

Submission

Applicants must submit a short essay (up to 500 words) explaining how participation in the Annual Meeting will further your professional goals.

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Involuntary Resettlement Travel Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Students must be registered for the meeting and have submitted a paper abstract by the submission deadline. Students who are presenting a poster are not eligible.

Submission

Applicants must submit a short essay (up to 500 words) on the global implications of wide-spread displacement and involuntary resettlement which has resulted from economic development. The hazards of such displacement are well known and have a profound impact on developed countries as well as indigenous populations.

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Student Endowed Award Statement Information

Eligibility

Individuals who are currently enrolled as students -- both graduate and undergraduate, international and domestic -- may apply. Moreover, the award is not restricted to anthropology students; those enrolled in the applied social sciences and other related disciplines are also strongly encouraged to apply. Current membership in the SfAA is not required. Officers and former officers of the Student Committee may not apply. Attendance at the upcoming SfAA annual meeting is required in order to receive the award.

Submission

Submit a short essay (up to 500 words) on “How have applied theories and methods influenced your research or career goals, and how might participation in the SfAA help you to achieve these goals?” Whether you are experienced in applied methodologies or not, we encourage you to write this essay to explore the idea of how applied methods and your active membership in SfAA could inspire (or has already inspired or transformed) your research or career as a social scientist.

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Previous Recipients