Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness

Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness 40th Annual Conference
2023-04-27 08:00 - 2023-04-29 17:00 (America/New_York) | The Chrysalis Inn & Spa in Bellingham, WA, 804 10th St, Bellingham,, WA, 98225, United States
Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness 40th Annual Conference
Death and Transformation
April 27-29, 2023
The Chrysalis Inn & Spa in Bellingham, WA
Proposal Submission: https://forms.gle/woQt4HR8ZecmrWvW6Conference Registration: https://my.americananthro.org/nc__event?id=a0l8W00000ZhMDQQA3
The Program Committee for the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness invites members and their collaborators to investigate how we engage with communities concerning death, dying, and transformation. We chose this theme to reflect upon the individual and collective experiences with death (in all its forms) and the experience of transformation. The theme of Death and Transformation points to the context and social climate in which we currently live: many of us – if not all of us – are seeing many of our lifeways and habits dissolve and metamorphosizing into forms that are unexpected, unanticipated, and difficult to ascertain. As anthropologists and consciousness researchers, we understand that we need to provide containers for each other so that we may be of support to each other during such a collective liminal time. Therefore, we invite presenters to reflect and engage with subjects related to death, dying, near-death experiences, death-care, ancestral healing, transformation, and ecological collapse. We consider this conference an opportunity to build networks for collective engagement, restorative practices, healing, and reconciliation.
We continue to welcome works that explore practices that might provide transformational learning and opportunities for collective action. We also welcome members, collaborators, and those new to the conference to engage in discussions related to exploring consciousness in all lived experiences, both human and non-human consciousness.
Potential topics for paper, panel proposals, pre-recorded events, short films, art, and workshops include but are not limited to:

Death and/or near-death experiences (NDEs)
Dreams and death
The deadly and/or transformative effects of COVID-19
Ecological collapse and/or transformation through wildfires and flooding
Voices of youth and subaltern amidst ecological disruption and change
“Slow” deaths through capitalist mechanisms such as worker exploitation
Death work and workers that support the dying in various ways
Explorations of what a ‘good death’ is
Grief processing
End-of-life processes and reflections
Ancestors and our relationships with those who have died
Funerary and burial practices

Workshops, Experientials, and Art
We also invite submissions of artistic works and experiential workshops exploring or cultivating consciousness, specifically those that relate to the conference theme. We aim to build bridges across scholastic and creative communities and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Prerecorded Content Gallery
Do you have a short film, a podcast episode, a prerecorded panel discussion, or other academic or artistic work that you feel aligns with our conference theme? Will this pre-recorded media work as an integral part of our online gallery that will be live for the entire conference? Reach out and let us know. We can accommodate several different formats, and they need not be limited to academic projects or those with a decidedly anthropological lens. We are an interdisciplinary organization and are seeking content from a variety of different perspectives. The closer to the communities most affected by death in all its forms, including ecological upheaval, the better.
Registration Instructions

Proposals and questions regarding workshops, and special events should be submitted by April 3rd, 2023 to: aocgeneral@gmail.com, Acceptance notifications will be sent by April 10th.

To submit your proposal, please visit the online submission portal here: https://forms.gle/woQt4HR8ZecmrWvW6.

Meeting registration is required and must be completed by the submission deadline for your proposal(s) to be considered. To register before the April 3 submission deadline, please visit the AAA website here: https://my.americananthro.org/nc__event?id=a0l8W00000ZhMDQQA3.

If your submission is not accepted, you may request a refund of your registration fees.

For more information, please contact: John Baker, AC President: JohnBaker@vcccd.edu

About the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness:
The Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness (AC), a section of the American Anthropological Association (AAA), is an interdisciplinary association of anthropologists, psychologists, mythologists, archaeologists, sociologists, and like-minded scholar-practitioners united by a common interest in the study of consciousness from an anthropological perspective. Learn more at https://sac.americananthro.org and join the association at https://www.americananthro.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS (list still updating) Friday, April 28:
Fairhaven Gore & Lore History Tour by the Good Time Girls
Start time: 8:00pm (Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before.)
Meeting location: Meet at the Fairhaven Village Green behind Village Books (1207 10th St, Bellingham, WA 98225.)
Explore the spooky side of Fairhaven, Bellingham’s south-side shopping district and “haunted hot-spot.” Hear ghost stories, true crime tales and spooky local lore with a costumed guide. This tour lasts a little over 1 hour and distance is under 1 mile. PG-13 suggested for violent, gory, and potentially scary topics.
TOURISM INFORMATION
Bellingham Tourism Information: https://www.bellingham.org
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel – Chrysalis Inn Hotel & Spa in Bellingham, WA: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/blittqq-the-chrysalis-inn-and-spa-bellingham/
Other Accommodations: https://admissions.wwu.edu/visit/accommodations
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Bellingham International Airport (Recommended)

Bellingham Airport is about 11 miles from the host hotel.

Recommend Taxi, Uber, or Lyft to the hotel. If your flight is on a Sunday, very early in the morning, or late at night, we recommend reserving a ride to the airport in a taxi in advance.
Seattle Tacoma International Airport
Sea-Tac Airport can be reached from Bellingham using a variety of options:

Car Rental.
Airporter Shuttle provides direct service between Bellingham and Sea-Tac airport.

Public transit, Greyhound and Amtrak can be used with a transfer to Link Light Rail in Seattle. The Link light rail travels to Sea-Tac airport.

The Port of Seattle operates Sea-Tac Airport. Information regarding the airport can be found on their website, portseattle.org/Sea-Tac.

Bellair Charters / Airporter

The Bellair Airporter Shuttle provides service multiple times daily between Bellingham and SeaTac airport, plus many other destinations including eastern Washington.

The Airporter Shuttle can be boarded any day at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 714 Lakeway Drive (next to Fred Meyer), with convenient connections to WWU via WTA bus, and Taxi/Uber/Lyft. Please note that due to the coronavirus pandemic the Airporter Shuttle is not stopping on campus. Typically, the Airporter picks up on the WWU Campus at the Performing Arts Center on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with extended service on holidays and breaks.
FlixBus

FlixBus offers intercity bus connections to Vancouver BC, Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Portland, Eugene, and more. Catch the FlixBus then travel to the hotel.

Amtrak Cascades Train

Amtrak Cascades provides daily service between Bellingham, Vancouver BC and points south to Eugene. The Amtrak Station is located at the Fairhaven Transportation Center, 401 Harris Avenue.

Greyhound Bus

Catch a Greyhound bus to travel down the I-5 corridor and to eastern Washington. The Greyhound bus station is located at the Fairhaven Transportation Center, 401 Harris Avenue, Bellingham, then travel to the hotel.

Washington State Ferries

Ferries provide service to/from multiple points around the Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, and Vancouver Island. wsdot.wa.gov/ferries

Please see our flyer for the conference below.
AAC 2023 Conference Program FINAL

Psychedelic Renaissance? What’s the Buzz? with Lisa Gezon
2023-05-05 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom, United States
Join Professor Lisa Gezon (University of Alabama, Birmingham) on a conversation about shifting conversations about psychedelics and their uses in contemporary contexts for self-actualization, mental health therapy, and other forms of ritual and healing. How do experiences vary based on demographics and geography? Are experiences of traditionally marginalized populations different in any noteworthy ways? What do anthropologists have to contribute to that interdisciplinary conversation? Gezon will begin with an overview of her current research on psychedelic integration groups. This topic is a preview of conversations we hope to continue at the AAA in November.

The Consciousness Program at Goddard College with Hillary Webb
2023-09-08 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom, United States
(Second Friday due to Labor Day weekend)

Psychedelic Research Through the Lens of Ritual Initiation with Reed A. Morrison
2023-10-06 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom, United States

The Evolved Psychology of Psychedelic Set and Setting: Inferences Regarding the Roles of Shamanism and Entheogenic Ecopsychology with Michael James Winkelman
2023-11-03 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | NV

Tarantismo in Italy with Maria Teresa Fiumerodo
2023-12-01 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom, United States

Teaching Consciousness at Goddard College with Hillary Webb
2024-01-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | NV

Spring 2024 Annual Meeting
2024-04-06 09:00 - 2024-04-10 17:00 (America/New_York) | Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Louis ~ St. Charles Hotel, Two Convention Center Plaza,, St. Charles, MO, 63303, United States
Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness 41st Annual ConferenceEmbassy Suites by Hilton St. Louis ~ St. Charles HotelTwo Convention Center Plaza, St. Charles, MO 63303
The Program Committee for the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness invites members and their collaborators to investigate how we engage with themes of darkness and/or light. Our theme and meeting dates were chosen to coincide with the total solar eclipse, which will come to North America on April 8, 2024. According to space.com, “A total solar eclipse happens when the moon appears the same size in the sky as the sun, or slightly larger, so fully covers the disk of the sun, giving observers a view of the sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona” (https://www.space.com/41552-total-solar-eclipse-2024-guide.html). This event provides opportunities for making connections between consciousness and experiences of lightness and darkness in an array of forms, from literal to metaphorical. It invites us to consider how light and dark may be conceived as binary and yet include nuances such as crepuscular shadows and normally invisible coronal elements. Contributors are invited to draw on a wide range of topics, including, for example, lived experiences of ritual and other collective awakenings, oppression or privilege, (in/ex)clusivity, and healing. We also consider this conference an opportunity to build networks for collective engagement, restorative practices, healing, and reconciliation.

NOTE: We also accept papers that do not directly fit the theme.
We welcome works that explore indigenous and/or plant-based practices that might provide transformational learning and opportunities for collective action. We also welcome members, collaborators, and those new to the conference to engage in discussions related to exploring consciousness in all lived experiences, both human and non-human consciousness. We are also interested in hearing voices representing BIPoC, post-colonial, and other marginalized perspectives (such as those based on gender, sexuality, class, ability, age, etc.)

Click here to See the full 2024 Annual Meeting Call for Papers.

Adding Enhanced Participation to Decipher Huichol Ritual and Shamanic Initiation by Jay Courtney Fikes, PhD
2024-11-01 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom, United States
Dr. Fikes has provided the following summary of his presentation:
Reading Carlos Castaneda’s first four books played a significant part in my decision to begin fieldwork in 1976 among the Huichol (Wixarika) living near the ceremonial center of Santa Catarina. See map on my website, http://jayfikes.com/spanish-sobre-el-autor. Dr. Castaneda’s alleged apprenticeship (as described in his first two books) featured three entheogenic plants. One of them, peyote, was collected annually by Huichol temple officers; who walked eleven days to enter Wirikuta, the sacred land where the Sun Father was born, in order to hunt peyote as (if it were) a deer. To understand the meaning and functions of rituals embedded in the Huichol annual ritual cycle I took Castaneda’s advice. Thus eating peyote during their rituals and while visiting sacred sites, became vital to my research. This strategy of “enhanced participation,” led me to complete a pilgrimage in 1986 to a female Kieri, a powerful entheogenic plant in the Solandra genus. Although Kieri has long been defamed as evil by anthropologists who relied solely on hearsay, Note 1, by doing an all night pilgrimage–making offerings and prayers to a divine Kieri – combined with translating the narrative explaining Kieri’s role in creating the first Deer Shaman (Fikes 2021) I learned that Huichol veneration of Kieri preceded collecting peyote–by temple officers making annual peyote pilgrimages which enabled the inhabitants of Santa Catarina to ingest it during their Peyote Dance at the end of each dry season.
After doing 34 years of research with four Huichol shamans, in 2011 Unknown Huichol: Shamans and Immortals, Allies against Chaos, was published. In 2021 I published Beyond Peyote: Kieri and the Huichol Deer Shaman, which is the focus for our Friday seminar.

Exploring the Modern Druid Tradition: Sacred Creativity, Awen, and Nature Connection
2024-12-06 13:30 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom, United States
Dr. Dana Driscoll, Indiana University of Pennsylvania USA; Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America/ This presentation will offer an exploration of creative practices and the “Awen”; in the modern druid tradition, a tradition of nature spirituality inspired by the Ancient Druids and revitalized in the 17th century. Dana will briefly share details about the druid tradition as a whole: rituals, beliefs, the ways in which druids understand consciousness and metaphysics. Then, Dana will offer an exploration into how druids understand the sacred concept of “Awen”, which is defined as flowing inspiration, flow states, and divine creative expression as well as the broader force of
divine creation. While this concept has been studied primarily in the field of psychology as a “Flow state”, Dana will share how druids understand the Awen to be many things: an altered state of consciousness, a spark of insight, a spiritual practice, and something that needs to be carefully cultivated. As both an insider and a social scientist, Dana has a unique perspective on the druid tradition. She will share from her own experiences as well from her studies in the druid tradition (including a large study of 266 druids) and more broadly on her ongoing research on flow states (of non-druids).

Annual Spring Meeting: Las Vegas 2025
2025-05-01 - 2025-05-03 | Palazzo, Las Vegas, NV, 3325 S Las Vegas Blvd,, Las Vegas, NV, 89109, United States
Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness
42nd Annual Conference
May 1-3, 2025

(There may be an informal event on the evening of April 3oth,
and a closing session on the morning of May 4th)

Las Vegas, NV at the Palazzo

I am a great admirer of mystery and magic. Look at this life – all mystery and magic.
Harry Houdini
Don’t we all love a little magic and mystery? Ancient mystery schools taught ways of navigating the universe, connecting with the divine, and gaining wisdom. Magic was a method of interacting with the supernatural and to influence desired outcomes. Yet, even as science has changed our understanding of the world and our place in it, people still seek out the mystical. Many seek out spiritual experiences, delight in being fooled by illusionists, attend role-playing mysteries, and hope their Hogwarts letter will arrive. For the upcoming conference we invite members to explore how and why mystery and magic are so enchanting to us. While there have been many anthropological studies of magic in the past, there are still many meaningful ways in which we can look at how magic and mystery impact humanity. We are looking for topics from personal experiences of magic, magic as control, connection, self-actualization, even to the mystery of consciousness itself.
NOTE: We also accept papers that do not directly fit the theme.
We welcome works that explore indigenous and/or plant-based practices that might provide transformational learning and opportunities for collective action. We also welcome members, collaborators, and those new to the conference to engage in discussions related to exploring consciousness in all lived experiences, both human and non-human consciousness. We are also interested in hearing voices representing BIPoC, post-colonial, and other marginalized perspectives (such as those based on gender, sexuality, class, ability, age, etc.)
Potential paper, panel proposals, pre-recorded events, short films, and workshops include but are not limited to the mysteries of:

· Ritual, symbolism and/or healing
· Collective or individual awakenings
· The play of Jungian archetypes and shadows
· (In/ex)clusivity
· Identity and coming out
· Wild, unfettered capitalism
· Transformation and change
· Barriers and openings
· Play and testing boundaries
· Shadow economies and politics
· Archaeological or other revelations
· Linguistic practices including gossip, slander, praise, and labelling.
· (In)visible biological realms, both human and non-human, either flora or fauna
· Mysterious concepts of magic
· Artistic expressions representing mystery and magic

Workshops, Experientials, and Art
We also invite submissions of artistic works and experiential workshops exploring or cultivating consciousness, specifically those that relate to the conference theme. We aim to build bridges across scholastic and creative communities and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Prerecorded Content Gallery
Do you have a short film, a podcast episode, a prerecorded panel discussion, or other academic or artistic work that you feel aligns with our conference theme? Reach out and let us know. We are an interdisciplinary organization and are seeking content from a variety of different perspectives to share with our members.
Registration & Submission Instructions
You may register for the meeting and submit proposals by locating the announcement of the meeting in the “Upcoming Events” or “Section Meeting” areas of the AAA Community Hub. Or, if you are into long URLs, at:
The deadline for submissions will be March 31, 2025 @ 8:00 PM Eastern Time
Acceptance notifications will be sent April 15, 2025.
If your submission is not accepted, you may request a refund of your registration fees.
For more information, please contact:
John Baker at johnbaker@vcccd.edu or Stephanie Fox at xbonesgirl@gmail.co

Spring 2026 Conference “Fear and Loathing...in Las Vegas: A Journey of Fun and Folly in the Face of FOBO”
2026-03-29 08:00 - 2026-04-01 17:00 (America/New_York) | Palazzo, Las Vegas, NV, 3325 S Las Vegas Blvd,, Las Vegas, NV, 89109, United States
Fear and Loathing…in Las Vegas: A Journey of Fun and Folly in the Face of FOBO (Fear of Becoming Obsolete).
March 29 – April 1, 2026
Get ready to experience the exhilarating spirit of Las Vegas as its iconic zest for life fuses with an engaging exploration of deeper themes at the 2026 annual conference of the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness!
Beyond the Glitz
The “Las Vegas” themed meeting is not just about the glitz; it’s about exploring the underlying principles that make for a vibrant, thriving, and truly connected community. The Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness is dedicated to studying consciousness phenomena in cultures around the world. This electrifying event, made possible by the dedication and support of our community, aims to delve deeper into themes such as:

Artificial Intelligence (AI): The conference will examine the relationship between AI and consciousness, exploring how the development of AI challenges or deepens our understanding of ourselves. It will also consider the impact of AI on human learning and wisdom in this new era of AI knowledge.
The interplay of individual and collective consciousness in spaces designed for entertainment and spectacle.
The anthropological roots of play, celebration, and risk-taking across cultures, drawing on research into how different cultures engage with these elements of human experience.
How to build radical inclusiveness in diverse groups, drawing lessons from unexpected places.
Dealer’s Choice. After all, it’s Vegas and you can talk about what you want, whether it stays here or not!

Embrace the Unexpected
Come ready to embrace the unexpected, share unique perspectives, and discover how to cultivate both joy and meaningful connection in your life and work. Join us in 2026 for a conference that promises to be both intellectually stimulating and personally enriching.
This meeting description was brought to you in collaboration with AI.
While we know that you may excited to share your latest research, we would like to encourage panel discussions and workshops. It is during the interactions and discussions that follow the presentation where the audience and presenter truly come alive and the sparks of creativity fly. So, we welcome members, collaborators, and those new to the conference to engage in discussions.
If you do choose to present on your own, there are a few things to keep in mind. Quickly get to the meat of your topic. To make sure everyone scheduled to present has time as well as leave time for Q&A, time is short. The most common issue presenters run into is that they have spent too much time on the background and don’t have time to get to what they really came to the conference to share! Make sure that you get to the good stuff as quickly as you can. We can read all about the background when you publish. Another tip is to practice. Whether you are good at extemporaneous speaking or just plan to read your presentation*, practice it. Giving your presentation a few run throughs will help you know how to keep on track and show you where the most important parts are.
*Please do not to read your presentation. SAC has a long-standing rule that is: don’t read to us about it, tell us about it. Notes and outlines are fine, but story time is for bedtime. Engage with your audience. Talking about your topic shows your enthusiasm and gets your audience enthusiastic about your work! If you have a finished paper, make us want to read it. Engagement leads to exchange ideas. We are a gentle and supportive group and completely understand any nerves you may have whether this is one of your first academic presentations or not. We have all been there and will treat you with interest and respect.
Please take note of the following accessibility guidelines when preparing your presentation.

All presentations and any accompanying slides must adhere to the AAA’s accessibility guidelines.
SAC will also provide an online session on accessible presentations. A recording and additional resources will be available for those unable to attend.
Any PowerPoint/Google Slides/Canva presentations will be due approximately mid-March (final date TBD) to a shared Google Drive for the conference.
If your submission is accepted, more detailed information will follow.
Please email Tiffany-Ashton Gatsby as soon as possible at tagatsby@gmail.com if you require any accommodations to attend the annual meeting so we have time to make any necessary arrangements. Also, reach out if you have any questions about the location or assistance with accessibility resources (wheelchair rentals, venue information, etc).

We also accept papers that do not directly fit the theme. If our conference theme is not your thing, anything related to exploring consciousness in all lived experiences, both human and non-human consciousness will do. We welcome works that explore indigenous and/or plant-based practices that might provide transformational learning and opportunities for collective action. We are also interested in hearing voices representing BIPoC, post-colonial, and other marginalized perspectives (such as those based on gender, sexuality, class, ability, age, etc.)
Potential paper, panel proposals, pre-recorded events, short films, and workshops include but are not limited to:

· AI related topics
· Issues of obsolescence or devaluation
· (Ex/in)clusivity
· Oppression and privilege
· Transformation and change
· Barriers and openings
· Play and testing boundaries
· The play of Jungian archetypes and shadows
· Shadow economies and politics
· Archaeological or other revelations
· Linguistic practices including gossip, slander, praise, and labelling.
· (In)visible biological realms, both human and non-human
· Ritual, symbolism and/or healing
· Collective or individual awakenings
· Identity and coming out

Program Coordinators will be prioritizing new content and discussion panels. We love to see attendees coming back, but we’re putting new research on the top of the list. Let us know if you have new stuff to share if you are continuing from a past presentation.
Roundtable
We have set aside time for a roundtable discussion on AI. If you are interested in participating in this roundtable please let us know. If you are interested in coordinating your own panel please feel free to do so and submit your proposal through the link below.
Workshops, Experientials, and Art
We invite submissions of artistic works and experiential workshops exploring or cultivating consciousness, specifically those that relate to the conference theme. We aim to build bridges across scholastic and creative communities and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Prerecorded Content Gallery
Do you have a short film, a podcast episode, a prerecorded panel discussion, or other academic or artistic work that you feel aligns with our conference theme? Reach out and let us know. We are an interdisciplinary organization and are seeking content from a variety of different perspectives to share with our members.
Logo Contest
We would also like to encourage members to enter a conference logo contest. The winning logo will be used on our conference T-shirts. 2nd and 3rd prizes will be used for stickers. Deadline for entry will be January 31.
Registration & Submission Instructions
To register for the conference, go to:
https://my.americananthro.org/NC__Event?id=a0lUO000008gdpxYAA
To submit a proposal for a paper, panel, other presentation, or logo go to:
https://americananthro.secure-platform.com/sac/
Registration discounts. There will be a limited number of waived and reduced registration fees available for volunteer positions for students and professional members. Please reach out to us about applying through the emails listed below.
Reduced rates for rooms at the Palazzo can be booked via this link (you do NOT have to book a room for the entire duration of the meeting):
https://book.passkey.com/go/NXTWB
The deadline for submissions will be January 31, 2026 @ 8:00 PM Eastern Time.
Acceptance notifications will be sent February 10, 2026.
For more information, please contact:
Stephanie Fox at xbonesgirl@gmail.com, Tiffany-Ashton Gatsby at tagatsby@gmail.com, or John Baker at johnbaker@vcccd.edu
