National Ambassadors 2021

Welcome to the Applied Anthropology Network’s first National Ambassadors Program!

The program is designed to allow individuals the support to carry out the work of the Network on a local level.

So, if you’ve enjoyed the Network’s output, read the details on the program and maybe see if there’s an open spot in your country.

Current Ambassadors 

November 2021-October 2023

Australia

Honorary Ambassador: Sophie Goodman

Bangladesh

Ambassador: Krishna Kumar Saha

Brazil

Vice-Ambassador: Rafael Poiate

Denmark

Ambassador: Janice Pedersen

Honorary Vice-Ambassador: Harmen Pelders

Germany

Ambassador: Alexander Horstmann

India 

Ambassador: Subrata Sankar Bagchi

Vice-Ambassador: Subir Rana

Indonesia

Honorary Ambassador: Anton ‘Nino’ Novenanto

Vice-Ambassador: Anggi Irawan

Iran

Ambassador: Mani Kalani

Honorary Vice-Ambassador: Hossein Madani

Italy

Ambassador: Valerio Ricciardelli

Vice-Ambassadors: Giulia Mascadri, Gabriele Orlandi 

Japan

Ambassador: Mary Reisel

Mexico

Honorary Ambassador: Terioska Gamez Leal

The Netherlands

Vice-Ambassador: Yara Van Hamburg

Pakistan

Ambassador: Abdul Razaque Channa

Poland

Ambassador: Agnieszka Zwolinska

Portugal

Honorary Ambassador: Augusto Ferreira

Honorary Vice-Ambassador: Daniel Alves

Romania

Ambassador: Maria Radan-Papasima

South Africa

Ambassador: Marguerite Coetzee

South Korea

Vice-Ambassador: Oxana Jeoung-Rakova

Spain

Honorary Ambassador: Veronica Reyero

Vice-Ambassador: Clara Granja

Sri Lanka

Ambassador: Upul Wickramasinghe

Sweden

Ambassador: Katarina Graffman

Trinidad and Tobago

Ambassador: Glenda-Rose Layne

Turkey

Honorary Ambassador: Özgür Dirim Özkan

UK

Ambassador: Jessica Symons

Vice-Ambassador: Anya Duxbury

USA

Vice-Ambassador: Lanlan Valentina Jin

Honorary Ambassador: Inga Treitler

What do Ambassadors do?

National Ambassadors

What this position calls for:

  • individuals who are well established in the national academia of their country (tenure not required) or well-known senior members of the local anthropological industry;
  • people with a good network in the field and influence to popularize applied anthropology; 
  • this position requires dedication and ambition to fulfill the goals;
  • must have availability to dedicate at least 8-10 hours per month for this role;
  • must be a member of the AAN or be willing to become one before applying (free membership).

Main roles:

  • creating more awareness for applied anthropology in the national academy, industry, and society;
  • helping liaise with anthropology departments and build the good will, conversations, and relationships necessary for a collaboration with them;
  • proposing and supporting organization of WWNA  events, Satellite Events, and where, relevant Apply Clubs initiatives
  • working in close relationship with the vice-national ambassador, ambassadors’ coordinator and AAN convenors; 
  • other initiatives and ideas are not only welcomed, but highly encouraged, if time and resources allow it.

Vice-National Ambassadors

What this position calls for:

  • individuals who are enthusiastic about applied anthropology and are willing to create awareness about applied anthropology in their countries (recent grads welcomed);
  • people who can connect and engage with young professionals in the field, as well as grad students or current and prospective students of anthropology;
  • this position requires good communication skills and boldness; 
  • must have availability to dedicate at least 8-10 hours per month for this role;
  • must be a member of the AAN or be willing to become one before applying (free membership).

Main roles:

  • engaging with and mobilizing the next generation of applied anthropologists locally;
  • gathering data about the situation of applied anthropology and social sciences in the country (study programs, job market, etc.);
  • proposing and supporting organization of WWNA  events, Satellite Events, and where, relevant Apply Clubs initiatives;
  • working in close relationship with the vice-national ambassador, ambassadors’ coordinator and AAN convenors; 
  • other initiatives and ideas are not only welcomed, but highly encouraged, if time and resources allow it.

Concept

  • By default, each country in Europe has one official ambassador and one official vice-ambassador, both elected by the members of the AAN. Individuals from countries outside Europe may request the opening of ambassadorial positions in their country if they are dedicated to promoting applied anthropology and to cultivating intercontinental relationships.
  • Once in position, the national ambassadors can recruit other local volunteers, depending on their workload and specific needs (e.g. volunteers for organizing satellite events or gathering data). They are encouraged to involve interested members in their activities. 
  • The terms of the ambassadorial team start in Autumn and last for 2 years. Elections are held every two years. A maximum number of 2 consecutive terms are allowed per person in any ambassadorial position. To make sure that there is no monopoly, a person that has been in any position for 4 consecutive years, has to take 2 years of mandatory break before running again. Terms of ambassadors in office before the 2021 elections do not count towards the term limit.
  • Only members of the AAN (or people willing to become members) can vote or be elected in these elections. Since it is (still) a free membership, becoming a member shows commitment and dedication to the network. 
  • It is recommended that ambassadors and vice-ambassadors reside in (or at least occasionally visit) the country that they represent.

Election procedure 

  • Members and “followers” of the AAN will be announced via all channels about the new concept of national ambassadorial teams and about the following elections. Those that are not official members yet will be encouraged to become one, in order to be able to participate in these elections.
  • There will be different lists for each position. Members will be able to submit their candidacies for only ONE of the two positions (short cover letter max. 300 words + CV + optional picture). They will be separated by countries and added to the ballots of their respective country. If some countries have no applications/low applications, we will send encouragements and local newsletters. 
  • Members of the AAN will be asked to state their main country of interest regarding anthropological topics (i.e. country of birth, country of residence or work) for the purpose of these elections. Each member can choose only one country and will vote in the respective elections. Members can change this country before every election of national ambassadors. This choice will be a part of the voting ballot, in order to prevent multiple voting. 
  • The person that received the most votes for a certain position (i.e. ambassador or vice-ambassador) in a country will get that position (ambassador or vice-ambassador).
  • If both positions remain open in a country, due to lack of candidates, the first person that expresses their wish to represent that country will be granted an honorary ambassadorship for the remainder of the term. The second person that expresses their wish to represent that country will be granted an honorary vice-ambassadorship for the remainder of the term. This will not count towards the term limit.
  • If both positions remain open in a country, due to lack of candidates, the first person that expresses their wish to represent that country will be granted an honorary ambassadorship for the remainder of the term.  The second person that expresses their wish to represent that country will be granted an honorary vice-ambassadorship for the remainder of the term. This will not count towards the term limit.
  • If the position of ambassador remains open, but the position of vice-ambassador is filled, the person that won the elections for vice-ambassador will be asked to become ambassador. In case they accept, the position of vice-ambassador will be either filled by the next person in line or remain vacant, if no other candidates exist or wish to accept the term. In case they do not accept and wish to stay a vice-ambassador, the next person in line will be asked to fill the ambassador’s position. If there are no other candidates or none of them accepts the ambassador’s position, this will remain vacant. 
  • If the position of vice-ambassador remains open, but the position of ambassador is filled, the person next in line in the elections for ambassador will be asked if they want to take the position of vice-ambassador. If that person refuses, the next person in line is asked and so on. If nobody accepts, the position of vice-ambassador remains vacant.   
  • If one of the positions becomes vacant during the term because the holder had to step down or became unavailable, the next person in line during the former elections will be asked to fill it. If that person refuses, the person after them will be asked and so on. Accepting an incomplete term will not count towards the term limit.

 

National Ambassadors
Program Coordinator

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Anna Berza, the National Ambassadors’ Coordinator: anna.berza@easaonline.org

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