March 28, 2025
Anthropology Professor Paul Spicer was recently selected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society.
Paul Spicer, who also serves as co-director of the Center for Applied Social Research, is one of 471 scientists and engineers recognized for outstanding scientific and societal contributions across 24 disciplines. He is the only recipient from Oklahoma this year, and one of just 10 Fellows this year in the Section on Societal Impacts of Science and Engineering.
He is also a principal investigator of the Center on the Ethics of Indigenous Genomic Research, a National Human Genome Research Institute Center of Excellence in Ethical, Legal and Social Implications Research and director of Community Engagement and Outreach at the Oklahoma Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
“This is an honor and recognizes the impact of our team’s work on the implications of genomics for Native people across the United States,” he said. “Our goal is to address the historic issues that concern Native Nations and help find a path forward when genomics may be relevant. At OU this work involves not just our team, but also the Native Nations Center and the Stephenson Cancer Center. Most importantly, it is only possible because of our formal partnerships with researchers who work directly for Native Nations and who drive our research agenda.”
This is the second consecutive year a professor in the OU Department of Anthropology has been named an AAAS Fellow. Bonnie Pitblado, the Robert E. and Virginia Bell Endowed Professor in Anthropological Archaeology, was recognized in 2023.
“This year’s class of Fellows are the embodiment of scientific excellence and service to our communities,” said Sudip S. Parikh, AAAS chief executive officer and executive publisher of the Science family of journals. “At a time when the future of the scientific enterprise in the U.S. and around the world is uncertain, their work demonstrates the value of sustained investment in science and engineering.”
To be considered for an AAAS fellowship, members must be nominated by the steering group of their section, by three other Fellows or by the association’s chief executive officer. Fellows must have been continuous members of AAAS for at least four years by the end of the calendar year in which they are elected. Being named a Fellow is a lifetime honor that dates to 1874.
Learn more about Center for Applied Social Research and view the full list of 2024 AAAS Fellows.
