Why join the RAI?
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.
Categories of Affiliation to the RAI:
Ordinary Fellowship
Fellowship is intended for those who have an interest in anthropology, whether academic or not. Fellows are elected by the Council of the RAI. Fellows are entitled to:
- Print and online subscriptions to the Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute (JRAI)
- Print and online subscriptions 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 from the Anthropology Library, in person or by post, when in the UK
- Access to the Anthropology Library’s online resources via EZproxy
- Free access to the RAI archives by appointment
- Free or reduced-rate admission to RAI events
- Voting rights and eligibility for election to the RAI Council and Committees
- 35% discount on Wiley publications and Berghahn Books
Types of Ordinary Fellowship
To meet the differing needs of RAI Fellows, several categories of Ordinary Fellowship have been established.
Early Career Fellowship: available for those who have graduated from a taught or research programme in the past 5 years. Early Career Fellows receive the same benefits as an Ordinary Fellow at a reduced rate.
Retired Fellowship: available to those who have retired from employment. Retired Fellows receive the same benefits as an Ordinary Fellow at a reduced rate.
Life Fellowship: available to all for the Ordinary Fellowship fee x 20.
Honorary Fellowship: an honour awarded by the Council of the Institute to overseas scholars of special distinction.
Student Fellowship
Student Fellowship is appropriate for students registered on taught or research programmes anywhere in the world. Student Fellows must be elected, and must demonstrate their student status. Student Fellows are entitled to:
- Print and online subscriptions to Anthropology Today (AT)
- Online access to the Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute (JRAI)
- Online access to the entire back files of both journals through JSTOR
- The right to borrow up to 5 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 EZproxy
- Free access to the RAI archives by appointment
- Free or reduced-rate admission to RAI events
- 35% discount on Wiley publications and Berghahn Books
Student Fellows who are registered postgraduate students on taught or research programmes in any sub-field of anthropology may also apply to be a joint Student Fellow and Associate Members of the Association of Social Anthropologists. For more information about the ASA, please see their website here. Benefits include:
- invitations to the Annual Conference (for which you pay a reduced fee)
- immediate digital access to all newly published titles of the Monograph
- inclusion in the online Directory of Members
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. If you do not know any Fellows then please send a brief resume outlining your interest in anthropology and we will ask one of our Officers to sign the form to support your application. Follow the joining and payment instructions on the application form. We will then 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.
If you have any questions please contact the Membership Officer.
Fellowship Concession Rates
Applicants for Ordinary and Student Fellowships residing in countries with low-income and middle-income economies (as classified by the OECD) are entitled to a 40% reduction in fees. This rate will automatically be offered to those whose Contact data country of residence is in the list. If you feel you are entitled to a concession rate for other reasons, please contact the Membership Officer for approval before applying.
Membership of the RAI
Membership is available to all those wishing to subscribe to Anthropology Today. Members do not need to be elected. Members are entitled to:
- Print and online subscriptions to Anthropology Today (AT)
- Online access to Anthropology Today (AT) from 2000 onwards via Wiley Online Library
- Free access to the RAI archives by appointment
- Free or reduced-rate admission to RAI events
- 35% discount on Wiley publications
Ordinary Rates for 2027:
Category | Rate Pound (£) | Rate Euro (€) | Rate Dollar ($) |
Ordinary Fellow | £104.95 | €122.60 | $142.00 |
Retired Fellow | £83.45 | €97.45 | $112.00 |
Early Career Fellow | £72.70 | €84.90 | $98.00 |
Student Fellow | £40.45 | €47.30 | $55.00 |
Student Fellow + ASA Associate | £67.45 | €78.80 | $91.00 |
Member | £32.95 | €38.55 | $45.00 |
Concession Rates for 2027:
Category | Rate Pound (£) | Rate Euro (€) | Rate Dollar ($) |
Ordinary Fellow | £63.00 | €73.60 | $85.00 |
Retired Fellow | £50.10 | €58.50 | $68.00 |
Early Career Fellow | £43.65 | €51.00 | $59.00 |
Student Fellow | £24.30 | €28.40 | $33.00 |
Student Fellow + ASA Associate | £51.30 | €59.90 | $70.00 |
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 phone on +44 (0)20 7387 0455, or by email to the Membership Officer.
We use a membership system managed by NomadIT.