Anthropology Department

Radicle: Reed Anthropology Review

Frequently Asked Questions

—Who can submit work to Radicle?

We welcome submissions from anyone who has taken at least one anthropology course at Reed. We encourage both Anthro and non-Anthro majors to submit! We want to remind all Reedies that in compiling our issue we consider all student work to be of equal importance, and we especially value the work of all individuals who are typically marginalized or silenced. So please do not hesitate to send in your work or an inquiry even if you’re uncertain about submitting.

—What qualifies as anthropological methodology? How do I make sure to use an anthropological lens in my work?

The following four points are the criteria we give to student peer reviewers. Submissions to Radicle should:

1. Explicitly address a theoretical framework or methodological approach to understanding and explaining human communities, relationships, behavior and/or events that was introduced in an anthropology course. This could include defining key concepts and demonstrating how they might apply to an analysis of contemporary sociocultural phenomena; it could include a review of a key work or discussion of a theoretical debate; it could include a balanced critique and a suggested alternative.

2. Make a cogent, well-organized argument with reference to appropriate and compelling evidence.

3. Carefully contextualize and frame or analyse any media presented.

4. Suggest a reflexive attentiveness to issues of research, design and methodology.

—I have an idea for a photo/video/audio project I’d like to submit, but I don’t personally have the equipment to do it. What are my options?

Contributors to Radicle have access to the Department of Anthropology’s audio-visual equipment, which includes Canon Elura 100 Camcorders, and tripods. If you have a specific project in mind that requires other equipment, such as digital audio recorders, please submit an inquiry to see if accessing or acquiring necessary equipment is possible. To check out equipment, email Adam Aristo at aadam@reed.edu.

What is IRB?

A federally mandated committee including faculty and outside professionals convened to ensure ethical standards in research involving human subjects. Students conducting fieldwork for publication must submit a proposal outlining the research plan to Reed College’s institutional review board (IRB). For help on writing an IRB proposal, please visit: http://www.reed.edu/anthro/irb-samples/.

What is Radicle’s peer review process?

You can either submit your work directly through our online submission process (see the submission guidelines here), or first send us an inquiry about your idea (see the guidelines for inquiries here). After you submit your work, a board of your peers with experience in Reed’s Department of Anthropology will anonymously review your final submission. The editors may then contact you to request edits. Lastly your revised submission will be reviewed by Radicle’s editors. 

This process is an excellent opportunity either to polish up your favorite course paper or create an original photo, video, or audio project informed by the tremendous work you as a Reed student already do. If approved by the editors, your work will be included in our issue in May 2016.