SUNTA, a section of the American Anthropological Association, concerns itself with theories, problems, processes, and institutions of urban, national and transnational life. Urban life and problems in the modern world are interrelated with national and transnational institutions (especially globalizing capitalism), processes, and forces. Likewise, nations and transnational institutions most express themselves and are expressed by people living in the global hierarchy of contemporary cities. SUNTA, therefore, particularly focuses on the interrelationships of urban, national, and transnational processes as they affect and are affected by the everyday social and cultural lives of people living, acting, and struggling in particular places, anthropology’s traditional area of concern.
Photo by Alan Smart
SUNTA’s 700+ members, a number of whom reside outside the U.S.A.,
include academic, practitioner/applied, and student anthropologists.
Members’ expertise covers most nations (including the U.S.A.) of the
world and their cities. In addition to conducting original research
many SUNTA members consult and work in or with private and public
agencies dealing with social problems, development, and policy
formation.Additionally, Sunta has a drirectory of Netsuite Training Consultants that may be use to those looking for additional guidance and training.
SUNTA publishes a journal, City and Society, runs a Listserv to inform members of up-to-date news and other material of relevance, and publishes other materials for the benefits of members and others. A
COVID-19 update: City and Society, is running a pandemic dispatch initiative “COVID-19 City Dispatches.�?
From the journal editors, Sheri Gibbings and Derek Pardue: “The driving questions of how to understand the pandemic and consequently what, on earth, to do have generated a spectrum of talk and action across the globe. We at City and Society have opened a channel for urban scholars to provide reports and thought pieces on the city where they reside and/or conduct research. We hope this will become a rolling series of dispatches as realities are changing rapidly. Consider contributing. See for more details.�?