Eleven anthropology students have been recognized for their award-winning essays by the Center for a Public Anthropology's Community Action Project. The students are enrolled in an introduction to cultural anthropology class taught by Mikaela Rogozen-Soltar, assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology.

More than 4,000 students from 24 schools around the country submitted essays to the North American competition. The Community Action Project allows students to academically discuss ethical issues in anthropology.  

"The Community Action Project is a wonderful opportunity for students to engage in anthropological concepts as they think through real-world ethical and political issues," Rogozen-Soltar said. "We are very proud of the thoughtful and award-winning essays written by our Anthropology 101 students."

The competition gives students the opportunity to think critically and write about five case studies regarding how the Institutional Review Boards and the Review Ethics Boards should enforce rules regarding research. The topic of this year's project was, "How much freedom should researchers be allowed in conducting their research?"

The award winning students included Tara Brown, Austin Mathias, David Ariza, Danica Paz Violago, Nathan Philipps, Danyelle Lincoln, Kathryn Clark, Warren Kinson, Zachery Shipton, Kaitlin Loomis and Zachary Ward.

The Center for a Public Anthropology is a non-profit organization that encourages scholars and students to address public problems in public ways. The Community Action Project is an example of how they affirm and foster social accountability in the academic realm. For more information and to read the award winning pieces, go to the Center for a Public Anthropology website.