Monday, November 28, 2005

Writer: Kim Cretors, 706/542-1168, kcretors@franklin.uga.edu
Contact: Pete Brosius, 706/542-1463, pbrosius@uga.edu

UGA associate professor of anthropology Peter Brosius to receive first biennial Lourdes Arizpe Award from the American Anthropological Association

Athens, Ga. – Peter Brosius, associate professor of anthropology in the University of Georgia’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, is one of two recipients of the first biennial Lourdes Arizpe Award presented by the anthropology and environment section of the American Anthropological Association (AAA).  According to the association’s citation, Brosius’ work on a “global stage has impacted the discourse of environmental anthropology and conservation communities [and] the biological and social sciences.”

The award honors individual anthropologists, teams or organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the application of anthropology to environmental issues and discourse. It is named in honor of Lourdes Arizpe, an anthropologist at the National University of Mexico who specializes in culture, migration, rural development and global environmental change in fieldwork research and international academic and policy activities.

“It’s a real honor to be recognized by my peers with this award, especially an award named after Lourdes Arizpe, who has always been one of my ‘sheroes,’” says Brosius. 

In the last few years, Brosius says he has focused his research and teaching on showing how and why anthropological ideas might make a difference in the search for forms of conservation that are effective, just and equitable.  He says the goal is “elusive, fraught with difficulties, but it’s a goal I’m compelled to pursue. 

“We are living through what biologists have called the ‘Sixth Great Extinction,’ and in too many places, conservation isn’t working.  If we don’t take seriously the cultural, historical and political dimensions of conservation, biodiversity suffers and humans suffer.  For me, the Lourdes Arizpe Award represents recognition of the importance of this point, and for that I am encouraged and energized.”

The award will be presented to Brosius during a ceremony held in conjunction with AAA’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Dec. 2.  For more information, visit the AAA web site at www.aaanet.org/.