Many people from all over the world are affiliated to the RAI. We welcome anyone with an interest in the subject, whether working in an academic institution or not. Our affiliates include academic specialists, students, those working in fields where anthropology has practical applications, and those whose interest is captured by the subject matter of anthropology. The membership structure has been designed as far as possible to suit all interest groups. The RAI is constantly looking for ways of improving its structure and services, and welcomes all suggestions.

You can go straight to the application form here. This application form is for all categories of affiliation.

Categories of Affiliation to the RAI

Individuals can join the RAI as Fellows, Postgraduate Fellows or Members.

Fellowship of the RAI

Fellowship is intended for those who have an academic or professional engagement with the social sciences, but serious amateurs are warmly welcomed. Fellows are elected by the Council of the RAI.

For details about the types of Fellowship available, click here.

For the current price of Fellowship please click here.

Fellows are entitled to:

• Print subscription and online access to the Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute (JRAI)
• A special Fifth Issue of the JRAI is distributed annually to all Fellows without charge
• Print subscription and online access to Anthropology Today (AT)
• Online access to the entire back files of both Journals, up to 5 years before the current year, through JSTOR
• The right to borrow up to 10 books (4 in the case of Postgraduate Student Fellows) from the Anthropology Library, in person or by post, when in the UK
• Access to the Anthropology Library's online resources via Athens
• Free access to The RAI Collection by appointment during opening hours
• Free or reduced-rate admission to RAI events
• Voting rights and eligibility for election to the RAI Council

• 25% discount on Wiley-Blackwell publications ordered through Wiley-Blackwell; follow this link for an order form

NEW FROM 2011: STUDENT FELLOWSHIP

From 2011 onwards, it will be possible to join the RAI as a Student Fellow. 

Student Fellowship is appropriate for students registered on taught or research programmes leading to a qualification in any field of anthropology, anywhere in the world. Student Fellows must be elected, and must demonstrate their student status. Student Fellows are entitled to:

• Print subscription and online access to Anthropology Today*
• Online access to the JRAI*
• Online access to the entire back files of both journals through JSTOR*
• The right to borrow up to 4 books from the Anthropology Library when in the UK. Postal borrowing is also possible within the UK
• Access to the Anthropology Library’s online resources via Athens
• Free access to The RAI Collection by appointment during opening hours
• Free or reduced-rate admission to RAI events
• 25% discount on Wiley-Blackwell publications ordered through Wiley-Blackwell.
  For an order form visit www.blackwellpublishing.com/pdf/RAI_ORDER.pdf

Student Fellows who are registered postgraduate students on taught or research programmes in any sub-field of anthropology may also apply to be Associate Members of the Association of Social Anthropologists. For more information about the ASA, please see their website at: www.theasa.org. Benefits include:

• Annals of the ASA
• Annual Monograph (proceeds of the annual ASA conference)
• Discounts on previous monographs
• Reduced-rate admission to ASA conferences

Election of First-Time Fellows

If applying to become a Fellow or Student Fellow for the first time, you must be proposed and elected by the Council of the RAI. If possible, your proposer should be a current Fellow who knows you personally. Failing this, a letter of recommendation from a person of standing will be accepted. Follow the joining and payment instructions given here. We will send you a proposal form to complete and return. As soon as your payment is processed, you will begin to receive Fellowship benefits. In the unlikely event of your not being elected, your payment will be refunded immediately. If applying to become a Member, or if you have previously been a Fellow, you do not need a proposer.

Membership of the RAI

Membership is available to all those who have a general interest in the study of humanity. Members do not need to be elected.

For the current price of Membership please click here.

Members are entitled to:

• Print subscription and online access to Anthropology Today (AT)
• Online access to Anthropology Today (AT) from 2000 onwards via Wiley Online Library
• Free access to The RAI Collection by appointment during opening hours
• Free or reduced-rate admission to RAI events
• 25% discount on Wiley-Blackwell publications ordered through Wiley-Blackwell; follow this link for an order form

Online Access to the JRAI and AT

All Fellows, Postgraduate Student Fellows and Members receive online access to the journals to which they are entitled from the 2000 volume onwards, via Wiley Online Library. In addition, all Fellows and Postgraduate Student Fellows are entitled to access the entire back catalogue of RAI journals, up to 5 years preceding the current volume year, through the JSTOR online archive.  To access this Fellows, Postgraduate Student Fellows and Members need to login via www.blackwellpublishing.com/RAI/.

Those wishing to join the RAI but not eligible for election as Fellows or Postgraduate Student Fellows, should join as Members.

How to Join: Individuals

You can join by completing the application form. Or if you prefer to have hard copy of the application form, please email the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can find information about the price of each category here.

In case of difficulty

If you have any difficulty in joining or renewing your affiliation, or in accessing the services to which you are entitled, contact the RAI office by post at 50 Fitzroy St, London W1T 5BT, UK; by phone on +44 (0)20 7387 0455, or by email to the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

How to Join: Institutional Subscribers

Institutions and libraries cannot join the RAI, but may subscribe to the RAI journals Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute (JRAI) and Anthropology Today (AT). Since 2006, a special fifth issue of the JRAI is published annually and distributed to institutional subscribers as part of their subscription. All institutional subscriptions are managed by Blackwell publishing. Follow these links for information on subscribing to JRAI and AT.