About AABA

The American Association of Biological Anthropologists, or AABA, is the world’s leading professional organization for biological anthropologists. Formed by 83 charter members in 1930, the AABA now has an international membership of over 2,200. The Association’s annual meetings draw more than two thousand scientists and students from all over the world.

The AABA is administered by an elected Executive Committee directed by five elected officers.

The American Association of Biological Anthropologists (AABA) seeks to advance understanding of the evolutionary history and diversity of the human and primate lineages, their biology, and life experiences through time. As part of promoting a rigorous and responsible science, AABA aims to foster communication, collaboration, and inclusion within and beyond our membership, and to promote public understanding of our field of study.

To accomplish this mission, the AABA:

–    advances knowledge by publishing two academic, peer-reviewed journals (American Journal of Biological Anthropology and the Yearbook of Biological Anthropology) as venues for cutting-edge research in biological anthropology;

–    hosts an annual conference, as well as in-person and online workshops and other events, to facilitate awareness and discussion of topics important to the discipline, and to enable and encourage members at all professional ranks and from diverse perspectives within the scientific community to present and share their current research;

– recognizes and celebrates excellence within the discipline of biological anthropology by conferring grants, prizes, and awards at a variety of career stages;

–   supports biological anthropology through advocacy in ethics and science policy, by providing infrastructure to ensure inclusive scientific communities going forward, redress the field’s historic contributions to ‘race’ science and colonial practice, and engage ethical, evidence-based science policy and practice;

–   encourages, promotes, and advocates for improved public understanding of biological anthropology by providing member expertise and community outreach through virtual and in-person events.

Formed by 83 charter members in 1930, the AABA now has an international membership of over 2,200.

The history of AABA meetings and leadership can be downloaded here: AABA Executive Committee and Meeting History

• The Charles R. Darwin Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 1992 to recognize and honor distinguished senior members of the American Association of Biological Anthropologists.
• The Gabriel W. Lasker Service Award was established in 2006 to recognize and honor individuals who have demonstrated a history of excellence in service to AABA, its members, and/or the field of biological anthropology.
• The AABA and Leakey Foundation Communication & Outreach Award in Honor of Camilla Smith is awarded annually to honor individuals for their outstanding public communication and educational outreach efforts in the field of biological anthropology.

• Cobb Professional Development Grants provide up to $7,500 to support the career development of individuals at the beginning of their professional careers.
• Pollitzer Student Travel Awards are designed to help student members defray the costs of attending the AABA meetings.  You do not need to be presenting at the meeting.
• AABA provides free childcare at the annual meeting. Information will be posted on the annual meeting page; you may also contact vicepresident@bioanth.org for more information.

• Committee on Diversity IDEAS (Increasing Diversity in Evolutionary Anthropological Sciences) Program includes a day-long science and mentoring workshop for undergraduate and graduate students at the AABA meetings, networking events throughout the meeting, and a virtual mentoring network throughout the year. IDEAS Student Scholars receive travel funding.
• Committee on Diversity Undergraduate Research Symposium provides the opportunity for undergraduate students to present their research in a poster symposium during the annual meeting and to graduate students to serve as reviewers and mentors for the symposium.  A limited number of travel awards are made based on the application materials.
• Limited funding is available for Invited Symposia proposals. Priority is given to symposia that include speakers/discussants who would not normally attend AABA meetings and significantly enhance the scientific value of the symposium, and to requests that increase diversity and outreach including scientists from developing countries.

• Pollitzer Student Travel Awards are designed to help student members defray the costs of attending the AABA meetings.  You do not need to be presenting at the meeting.
• Student Presentation Awards. The AABA awards seven prizes to outstanding student poster and podium presentations at the annual meeting. The first author of the presentation must be the student.

• Early Career Liaison to the Executive Committee provides the opportunity for a recent PhD AABA member to become involved with the governances of the association and to bring to the Executive Committee issues of interest and concern to members in their early careers.
• Student Liaison to the Executive Committee is tasked with increasing student participation, co-chairing the ad hoc student committee, bringing to the Executive committee issues of interest and concern to the student members and assisting the Career Development Committee and the Auction Committee in planning and implementation.
• Ethics Fellows Program is intended to raise the level of ethical literacy among the AABA membership and to provide interested members—particularly those early in their careers—an opportunity to engage actively with the Ethics Committee and gain experience with ethics educational and research projects.
• Auction Donors and Volunteers are always needed.  Donating items for the silent and live auction, bidding on items and volunteering at the auction are all a fun way to support student travel awards.
• Volunteering. There are many additional ways to become involved in the AABA and all members are encouraged to become involved.

• Education Committee Classroom Visits and Teacher Training Workshop volunteers provide opportunity and experience in educational outreach.
• Committee on Diversity IDEAS Program partners with researchers interested in sponsoring additional IDEAS student scholars, mentoring student researchers, or running satellite workshops.