The primary purpose of this survey is to allow anthropologists impacted by Federal cuts and policy changes to share their experiences and describe their strategies for moving forward. A main goal is simply to understand what has happened to all fields of anthropology at all governmental levels or other impacted areas starting in 2025.
The survey is being conducted by the Washington Association of Professional Anthropologists (WAPA). WAPA will produce a report and other information to be posted on the
WAPA website and shared broadly across the discipline before the end of calendar year 2026.
The survey deadline is June 30, 2026.Participants and timing: Survey respondents should be anthropologists from any field at any degree level directly or indirectly impacted in any way by the Federal funding and policy changes. This includes federal staff, direct and indirect hires, fellowship holders, contractors/subcontractors, grant recipients at all governmental levels (including state, county, city), and others. The survey contains several brief, semi-structured questions and additional demographic information. The estimated completion time is 15-30 minutes.
You will need to complete the survey in one effort; there is no mechanism to create an account and finish the survey later.
Participant harms: We do not think that taking this survey will cause you any physical or psychological harm beyond what you might face in everyday life, but there is still a small chance that you will have a bad experience. For example, it is possible that you may find it hard emotionally to think about or remember experiences involving the unanticipated Federal changes that you encountered. If you are uncomfortable answering a particular question, you are free to not answer the question, and you are also free to quit the survey at any time.
Data use: WAPA accepts ultimate responsibility for these data and understands our responsibility in maintaining privacy and protecting respondents’ identities. Excerpts from open-ended responses that do not contain potentially identifiable information may be shared more broadly in any reporting and promotional messaging. The raw data will only be shared with a limited number of those who are qualified to conduct qualitative analyses with confidential data.
Confidentiality/privacy: Unless otherwise specified, this survey is confidential. However, content from the surveys, such as extended respondent quotes that would not use any personally identifiable information, are anticipated to constitute a significant part of the final report.
Privacy options: At their option, respondents can choose to have their names and/or demographic information associated with their particular survey responses. At the end of the survey, respondents will be able to opt in to associating their names with their responses, or in having their specific story vignette published along with the main report. Any respondents who opt in will be contacted prior to any information being published under their name.
If you have questions, reach out to WAPA at wapadc@gmail.com.
WAPA would like to thank Beta Research Associates (www.beta-ra.com) for sponsoring this survey.