ARLINGTON, VA, September 16, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ — As artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace, climate change transforms communities, misinformation erodes public trust and societies navigate rapid cultural and technological change, one question has never been more important:
How do we better understand people?
This fall (Nov. 18–22), thousands of anthropologists from around the world will gather at America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis for the American Anthropological Association’s 2026 Annual Meeting. Centered on this year’s theme, “On the Verge,” the meeting explores what it means to live through a period of profound transition and how anthropology helps us understand the choices individuals, communities, and institutions face at moments of change. The conference will bring together researchers, educators, students, museum professionals, policymakers and practitioners to examine one of humanity’s defining moments.
Far from being an academic exercise, anthropology helps explain how people think, adapt, collaborate and respond to change. Its insights shape public health campaigns, improve artificial intelligence, preserve cultural heritage, inform education, guide business strategy, strengthen communities, and influence public policy. In an increasingly interconnected world, anthropology provides the human perspective needed to address society’s most complex challenges.
“We’re living through a moment when technology is changing the world, but people determine what that change means,” said Ady Arguelles-Sabatier, CEO and Executive Director of the American Anthropological Association. “The questions we’re facing aren’t only technical. They’re deeply human. Anthropology helps us understand how people respond to change, what communities need to thrive, and how we make better decisions together. Our Annual Meeting brings together thousands of people doing that work, creating the conversations and collaborations that help us better understand the world and each other.”
Over five days, attendees will exchange groundbreaking research, debate emerging ideas, forge interdisciplinary partnerships and explore issues ranging from migration and Indigenous sovereignty to environmental resilience, technological innovation and the future of human society. Whether they work in universities, museums, healthcare systems, nonprofit organizations, government agencies or the private sector, attendees will learn from experts whose work is shaping the future of anthropology and, increasingly, the future of society.
More than a conference, the Annual Meeting is where careers are launched, research collaborations take shape and lifelong professional relationships begin. Graduate students connect with mentors. Early-career professionals meet future employers and collaborators. Experienced researchers discover new perspectives that influence their work for years to come. It is a rare opportunity to engage with the largest and most diverse community of anthropologists in the world, all in one place.
Among this year’s featured speakers is Agustín Fuentes, a Princeton University anthropologist, bestselling author and renowned scholar whose work bridges anthropology, biology and psychology. Known for challenging conventional thinking about human evolution, race, cooperation and what it means to be human, Fuentes’ Distinguished Lecture is expected to be one of the meeting’s signature events.
The choice of St. Louis is especially fitting. From nearby Cahokia Mounds, the UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving the remains of the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico, to the city’s rich cultural traditions and evolving communities, the region reflects the layered histories and human experiences at the heart of anthropology. Its central location also makes it one of the nation’s most accessible destinations for attendees traveling from across the United States and around the world.
The meeting will also provide an economic boost to the St. Louis region, supporting local hotels, restaurants, attractions and businesses as thousands of attendees gather in the city.
At a time when understanding people has never been more important, the American Anthropological Association invites scholars, practitioners, students and lifelong learners alike to join the conversations helping shape what’s next.
About the American Anthropological Association
Founded in 1902, the American Anthropological Association (AAA) is the world’s largest scholarly and professional organization of anthropologists. Each year, the Association convenes thousands of scholars, practitioners, educators, and students from around the world for its Annual Meeting—one of the largest gatherings in the field of anthropology—to share research, exchange ideas, foster collaboration, and explore the discipline’s role in addressing today’s most significant social, cultural, environmental, and scientific challenges. Beyond the Annual Meeting, AAA advances anthropology through scholarly publications, professional development, advocacy, and public engagement. Learn more at www.americananthro.org
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