Teens Today. Authors spill ink over them. Podcasters shout into the void about them. Politicians propose legislation to rein them in. What if we simply sit down and listen to teens themselves for a change? For the past year, the creative team behind the Museum of Contemporary American Teenagers (MoCAT) has been on an art and anthropological odyssey, asking high school and middle school students across the country the same question, “What are we missing?” This is the 5th and final session of the 2026 Summer Pocket Talks, a series of interactive presentations and discussions, designed to kindle broader conversations and insights on timely issues and topics held in partnership with the D.C. Public Library.

Despite claims of equity, justice, and progress around “America 250” and the FIFA World Cup, what examples and analysis complicate this rosy picture of the nation? Are there stories that challenge the picture of a “more perfect union” both past and present and ask for whom is equality and fairness a false reality? This session will feature the work of 3 early career scholars whose research sheds light onto these questions and more. This is the 4th session of the 2026 Summer Pocket Talks, a series of interactive presentations and discussions, designed to kindle broader conversations and insights on timely issues and topics held in partnership with the D.C. Public Library.

What stories can a simple flatbread tell? Join The Roti Collective as we share research on the connections between South Asian, Caribbean, and East African food traditions in DC. Through stories of migration, memory, and resilience, we'll explore how roti connects communities across generations and borders and invite you to be part of this growing community research project. This is the 3rd session of the 2026 Summer Pocket Talks, a series of interactive presentations and discussions, designed to kindle broader conversations and insights on timely issues and topics held in partnership with the D.C. Public Library.

The Summer Pocket Talks is a series of interactive presentations and discussions, designed to kindle broader conversations and insights on timely issues and topics. As an attendee, you will hear from thinkers from the social sciences and humanities, be able to ask questions and discuss with speakers and other attendees, and connect with other interested in pressing topics. Complimentary tea and light refreshments are provided!

Talks are a project of the Public Ethnography Lab at American University.

The Anthropology Summer Salon is a lecture and conversation series based on the important work of early career scholars and students from American University’s Department of Anthropology. Held bi-weekly, each salon is structured around a central theme, such as food justice, cultural heritage, and social inequality, and will feature the work of 2-3 scholars. The events are designed to encourage conversations and exchange of ideas between community members and researchers over tea and snacks.

A monthly, mid-week gathering for ethnographic scholars, practitioners, or curious novices to connect over complimentary coffee and a light breakfast.

A monthly, mid-week gathering for ethnographic scholars, practitioners, or curious novices to connect over complimentary coffee and a light breakfast.

A monthly, mid-week gathering for ethnographic scholars, practitioners, or curious novices to connect over complimentary coffee and a light breakfast.

The Anthropology Summer Salon is a lecture and conversation series based on the important work of early career scholars and students from American University’s Department of Anthropology. Held bi-weekly, each salon is structured around a central theme, such as food justice, cultural heritage, and social inequality, and will feature the work of 2-3 scholars. The events are designed to encourage conversations and exchange of ideas between community members and researchers over tea and snacks.

A monthly, mid-week gathering for ethnographic scholars, practitioners, or curious novices to connect over complimentary coffee and a light breakfast.

The Anthropology Summer Salon is a lecture and conversation series based on the important work of early career scholars and students from American University’s Department of Anthropology. Held bi-weekly, each salon is structured around a central theme, such as food justice, cultural heritage, and social inequality, and will feature the work of 2-3 scholars. The events are designed to encourage conversations and exchange of ideas between community members and researchers over tea and snacks.

The Anthropology Summer Salon is a lecture and conversation series based on the important work of early career scholars and students from American University’s Department of Anthropology. Held bi-weekly, each salon is structured around a central theme, such as food justice, cultural heritage, and social inequality, and will feature the work of 2-3 scholars. The events are designed to encourage conversations and exchange of ideas between community members and researchers over tea and snacks.

A monthly, mid-week gathering for ethnographic scholars, practitioners, or curious novices to connect over complimentary coffee and a light breakfast.

The Anthropology Summer Salon is a lecture and conversation series based on the important work of early career scholars and students from American University’s Department of Anthropology. Held bi-weekly, each salon is structured around a central theme, such as food justice, cultural heritage, and social inequality, and will feature the work of 2-3 scholars. The events are designed to encourage conversations and exchange of ideas between community members and researchers over tea and snacks.

A monthly, mid-week gathering for ethnographic scholars, practitioners, or curious novices to connect over complimentary coffee and a light breakfast.

The Anthropology Summer Salon is a lecture and conversation series based on the important work of early career scholars and students from American University’s Department of Anthropology. Held bi-weekly, each salon is structured around a central theme, such as food justice, cultural heritage, and social inequality, and will feature the work of 2-3 scholars. The events are designed to encourage conversations and exchange of ideas between community members and researchers over tea and snacks.