Global Initiatives Grant Report – Transforming Anthropology Editorial Support
In July 2021 Aisha M. Beliso-De Jesús received a Global Initiatives Grant to build capacity in anthropology by, "Transforming Anthropology Editorial Support." Below is her report.
The Wenner-Gren Foundation’s Global Initiatives Grant support has been instrumental in the continued success and growth of Transforming Anthropology (TA). The generous grant provided by the Foundation from 2021 to 2024 has empowered the Association of Black Anthropologists (ABA) to not only sustain but also enhance the journal’s operations during a critical period of transition and expansion.
Transforming Anthropology was established in 1990 by the ABA as a pioneering effort to diversify and transform anthropological publishing. Over the years, TA has grown into a significant platform that advances scholarship across the four fields of anthropology, reflecting the dynamic, global, and contested conditions of social worlds. The journal has consistently pushed the boundaries of the discipline and the genre of ethnography, publishing works that interrogate contemporary and historical constructions of social inequalities based on race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, nationality, and other invidious distinctions. This commitment to rigorous, transformative research has established TA as a vital voice in the field.
The support from the Wenner-Gren Foundation arrived at a pivotal moment when the journal was facing unsustainable operational costs. The Foundation’s funding enabled us to maintain the essential editorial staff, including the Managing Editor and Assistant Managing Editor, whose roles were critical in ensuring the smooth operation of the journal. Additionally, this support allowed us to engage in necessary copyediting and proofreading processes, which are integral to maintaining the high quality of the journal’s content.
Beyond sustaining these core operations, the Wenner-Gren Foundation’s grant was crucial in facilitating our transition to the University of Chicago Press. This move represents a significant milestone for TA, providing the journal with the infrastructure and visibility needed to reach a broader global audience. Under the new partnership, the University of Chicago Press will handle the management and publication processes, while the ABA retains full editorial control.
This collaboration not only secures the future of TA but also aligns with our long-term goals of expanding the journal’s reach and impact.
The ABA’s ability to maintain editorial independence while partnering with a prestigious academic press is a testament to the strength and vision of our organization. This transition ensures that TA will continue to publish high-quality, peer-reviewed research that challenges the status quo and promotes new ways of thinking and practicing anthropology. The University of Chicago Press’s involvement will also enhance the journal’s distribution, making it more accessible to scholars and students worldwide.
Furthermore, the Wenner-Gren Foundation’s support has enabled the ABA to lay the groundwork for launching TA as an independently sustained journal. This independence is crucial not only for the sustainability of TA but also for ensuring that the journal continues to serve as a platform for voices that are often marginalized in the field of anthropology. With the Foundation’s backing, we have been able to explore innovative models for financial sustainability, which will ensure that TA remains a vital resource for the academic community for years to come.
As we reflect on the past three years, it is clear that the Wenner-Gren Foundation’s partnership has been instrumental in securing the future of Transforming Anthropology. The support provided has allowed us to navigate a period of significant transition, establish new partnerships, and strengthen the journal’s foundation for continued growth and impact. We are excited about the future and look forward to building on the successes we have achieved together.
On behalf of the Association of Black Anthropologists and the entire editorial team of Transforming Anthropology, I extend my deepest thanks to the Wenner-Gren Foundation. Its commitment to supporting diverse and transformative scholarship in anthropology has made a profound difference, and we are honored to have you as a partner in our journey.