Save the date for PAC2026:

The Public Anthropology Conference (PAC) is a project by the Department of Anthropology at American University. Despite the conference name, PAC is designed to function as a collective town hall, a central meeting place, where people and organizations interested in pressing topics — across social, economic, political, and historical issues — can learn, share, collaborate, and act. We believe and assert that collective change emerges from collective knowledge. We also understand that — despite claims to the contrary — knowledge is not restricted to universities, or even a single discipline or field, but rather is developed by an expansive set of thinkers and doers: public and independent scholars, advocates, organizations, community members, students, and formal academics.

We work to shape the conference based on this understanding, which in practice means:

• Attendance is free.

• The location is central and accessible. Anyone can walk in and attend.

• Anyone may apply to present, and we encourage applications from interdisciplinary, public, or independent scholars, non-profits, and community organizations.

• Talks should center important needs, questions, and concerns and should be legible for people outside the academy.

• Sessions are encouraged to be interactive, so that exchange is multi-directional and blurs the line between presenter and audience.

• “Non-traditional” conference formats at given equal weight, such as film screenings, walking tours, teach-ins, workshops, exhibits, and community conversations.

• Food, local transportation support, and interpretation are provided.

Last year, we welcomed 350+ people for this convening and know PAC2026 will only grow our vision. Want to join? Leave your email for updates.