A section of the the American Anthropological Association

Welcome to the Association for the Anthropology of Policy (ASAP)

Supporting the study of policy as social, political, and cultural phenomena.

In-Depth Research

Discover comprehensive studies and reports that shed light on policy implications.

Community Engagement

Join a vibrant community of scholars and practitioners dedicated to policy anthropology.

Educational Resources

Access a wealth of resources designed to support your academic and professional journey.

Understanding the anthropology of policy

The anthropology of policy examines the processes and effects of policy-making through an
anthropological lens. It is significant for policy scholars, practicing anthropologists, graduate
students and experts as it provides critical insights into how policies are formulated,
implemented, and experienced by different communities. This field bridges the gap between
theoretical knowledge and practical application, enabling anthropologists to contribute
meaningfully to the understanding of policy, policy debates and their developments.

What's new with ASAP

Graduate Student Mentoring

Graduate Student Mentoring Each year at the annual AAA conference, ASAP holds a graduate student mentoring workshop....

Anthropology of Public Policy — Syllabus

Anthropology of Public Policy — Syllabus Cris Shore This course has two main aims. The first is to interrogate the...

The Social Life of Policy — Syllabus

The Social Life of Policy — Syllabus Jennifer Hubbert The study of policy deals with issues at the heart of...

Get Involved with ASAP

Become a member

Become an active member and consider joining one of our committees. Collaborate with peers and contribute to the advancement of our section.

Browse our resources

Take advantage of our curated educational resources including syllabi, bibliographies, scholarly books and articles, and more.

Request mentorship (grad students)

We provide no-cost mentorship to graduate students in anthropology on career development, research, publishing, and more. Contact us to request a mentor.

Have questions? Get in touch.