2026 Eric R. Wolf Prize: Call for Submissions
The Prize honors excellence in graduate student research. We especially invite papers that integrate political economy and bold political action into the analysis of social life.
Graduate students, the Society for the Anthropology of Work (SAW) invites you to submit your scholarly work to be considered for the Eric R. Wolf Prize. Submissions are due by October 15, 2026.
The Prize honors excellence in graduate student research on the topic of the anthropology of work, broadly defined. We take inspiration from the life and work of Eric Wolf, which integrated political economy into the analysis of social life and value conflict, and engaged in bold political action. The Prize will go to the paper that best demonstrates an engaged anthropological approach to the study of work, in ways that reflect the values of Wolf’s legacy broadly construed. SAW invites graduate students to submit previously unpublished manuscripts for consideration. Black, Indigenous, and Latinx students, and students based at institutions outside the US and Europe, are especially invited to apply.
The recipient of the Eric R. Wolf Prize will receive a $250 cash award, along with an invitation to develop the essay further for possible publication in the Anthropology of Work Review. We also invite the winners to receive the award at SAW’s online business meeting in November.
Submissions must be received by October 15, 2026 to be considered for this year’s prize. All submissions should be emailed as attached PDF documents to Alex Blanchette (alex.blanchette@tufts.edu), chair of the Wolf Prize Committee. Only members of SAW will be considered for the prize. Membership is currently free for students who are members of the AAA. Your membership supports the section, and we hope the section supports you!
Submission Format
Please submit a single document, in PDF format, with a filename that begins with the initials of your name. Research essays should be 25 pages or less, double-spaced. All identifying information should be removed from the submission and only appear in the accompanying email (i.e., your name and affiliation and any citations of your own work should be removed before sending the document). Please direct any questions about the Eric R. Wolf Prize to Alex Blanchette at alex.blanchette@tufts.edu.
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Photo by J. Amill Santiago.
