My Biography
Rick Feinberg (he/him) (AB, University of California, Berkeley, 1969; MA, University of Chicago, 1971; Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1974) is an expert in Cultural Anthropology, Pacific Islands, Native North America, Kinship, Symbolic Anthropology, Religion & Spiritualism, Health & Curing, and Politics & Development. He has conducted research on Anuta (Solomon Islands), Taumako (Solomon Islands), Nukumanu (Papua New Guinea), Atafu (Tokelau), Navajo (New Mexico), and Brady Lake (Ohio, USA). Rick attended his first AAA Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA in 1973.
What first sparked your interest in anthropology?
I was concerned about myriad social problems facing the world and hoped, by learning how non-Western communities approached comparable issues, that I might discover innovative ways of addressing them.
What did you intend to do as a career after pursuing an education in anthropology?
My intention was to serve as a university professor. That, I hoped, would allow me to continue my research in pursuit of new insights and to share those insights with students and colleagues as well as the broader public.
How do you utilize anthropological skills in your current position?
Through involvement with AAA sections, I share my understandings with colleagues and promote the exchange of ideas. I remain in contact with former students and write for professional journals as well as analytic pieces for popular media. In addition, I have been integrated into the communities I studied years ago.
Why did you become a AAA member and how has it enhanced your professional development?
I joined the AAA as part of my academic job search in 1973 and have been a member ever since. Through the Association, I have connected with countless colleagues and collaborators, and it has provided me with a platform for sharing my ideas.
What tips do you have for the next generation of student anthropologists?
Think of the communities you study as professional collaborators. Be respectful of your disciplinary history, but don’t be afraid to blaze new paths.
“Think of the communities you study as professional collaborators. Be respectful of your disciplinary history, but don't be afraid to blaze new paths.”