Patricia Zavella, chair of the Latin American and Latino studies department at UC Santa Cruz, has been named co-winner of the 2010 Prize for Distinguished Achievement in the Critical Study of North America by the Society for the Anthropology of North America.
The prize has been given since 1994 to a senior anthropologist in recognition of broad-based contributions to research, teaching, and service related to the development of critical studies of North America, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The award recognizes a distinguished long-term program of research and publication, and also takes into account contributions in other areas, such teaching and training, service to professional societies, and community, activist, practice, or policy involvements outside academia.
Zavella will share the award with Catherine Lutz, chair of the anthropology department at Brown University. They will receive their awards November 20 when the society holds its annual meeting in New Orleans.
Zavella joined the UC Santa Cruz faculty in 1983. Her research interests focus on U.S.-Mexico immigration issues, feminist theory, work, poverty, and sexuality.
In 2008, the UCSC Academic Senate selected her to deliver the Faculty Research Lecture.
