Greetings to all our valued readers, followers, and fellow anthropology enthusiasts!

We are excited to announce our very first “Editors’ Forum.” As part of this initiative, we are calling for blog submissions on the fascinating topic of “Popular Culture Representations of Anthropologists.” To help you get started, here are a few examples of anthropologist characters in TV, film or comics that you might find interesting:

• Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan in “Bones” (2005-2017)
• Dr. Indiana Jones in the “Indiana Jones” film series (1981-2022)
• Professor Zei in “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-2008)
• Dr. Charlotte Lewis in “Lost” (2004-2010)
• Bolivar Trask in the Marvel Comics universe (1965)

We live in a world where popular culture plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of various fields and professions. The portrayal of anthropologists in TV shows, movies, comics and other media often reflects, and sometimes perpetuates, certain stereotypes and misconceptions. This forum aims to explore these representations, dissect their impact, and discuss how they influence public perception of anthropology as a discipline.

We invite you to contribute your thoughts, observations, and analyses on this compelling subject. Submissions can range from 350 to 1500 words and may focus on various aspects of the topic, such as:

• The accuracy of anthropologist portrayals in popular media
• The historical evolution of anthropologist characters in TV and film
• Stereotypes and misconceptions associated with anthropologists in popular culture
• How media representations of anthropologists affect public understanding and appreciation of the discipline
• The role of anthropologists in addressing and challenging these representations

As you prepare your submissions, which may include additional visual and multimedia content that creatively captures the essence of the topic, we encourage you to consider the following questions:

• How can anthropologists work towards more accurate and diverse representations in popular media?
• Are there any examples of anthropologists in TV or film that successfully challenge the stereotypes and promote a more authentic understanding of the discipline?
• How can we use these media portrayals as teaching tools or conversation starters within anthropology classrooms and public forums?

Our editors will carefully review each submission, and selected pieces will be featured in our first-ever “Editors’ Forum” collection. This is your chance to contribute to a stimulating dialogue, engage with fellow anthropologists, and make your voice heard in the anthropology community.

Please send your submissions to submissions@thefamiliarstrange.com with the subject line “Editors’ Forum Submission” by May 1st, 2023, 11:59pm EST. We look forward to reading your insights and engaging in a fruitful discussion.

Warm regards,

Editorial Board

The Familiar Strange

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[Image of the projector is by Jeremy Yap sourced from Unsplash.]