Cultural Anthropologist Inducted as President of National Academic Society

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Jonathan S. Marion

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Jonathan Marion, assistant professor of anthropology in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, has assumed leadership of the Society for Visual Anthropology. He was twice elected to the organization's board before his election last year as president-elect. Marion took office as president of the society during the American Anthropological Association's 112^th annual meeting, held Nov. 20-24 in Chicago.

"This is a great honor for Dr. Marion and our department," said Peter Ungar, distinguished professor of anthropology and chair of the department. "As leader of SVA and its affiliation with the American Anthropological Association, he will bring added attention to the exceptional work being done at the University of Arkansas."

Marion joined the university faculty in 2012. Before coming to Fulbright College, he taught at the University of California-San Diego, California State University San Marcos, Mira Costa College, San Diego State University and Palomar College. His research examines a wide range of topics and draws links between subjects such as performance, embodiment, gender, globalization, identity, physical culture and ritual. Some of his other academic interests include psychological, visual and medical anthropology.

"I am honored by my colleagues' endorsement, excited to facilitate deep and broad considerations of visual approaches to cultural research and exposition, and proud to be working at the University of Arkansas with its commitment to and support of innovative and engaged scholarship," Marion said.

In addition to his office with the Society for Visual Anthropology, Marion is in his second term as a board member for the Society for Humanistic Anthropology. He also serves as the anthropology convener for the Southwestern Social Science Association as well as a member of the Society for Medical Anthropology and the Society for Psychological Anthropology. His books include Visual Research: A Concise Introduction to Thinking Visually (2013) and Ballroom: Culture and Costume in Competitive Dance (2008).

Founded in 1984, the Society for Visual Anthropology promotes the use of images for the description, analysis, communication and interpretation of human (and sometimes nonhuman) behavior. As a section of the American Anthropological Association, the society advances the study of visual representation and media.