Applied Anthropology

Definition

Applied anthropology is the use of anthropological methods, theories, and perspectives to identify, understand, and address real-world problems. It involves the practical application of anthropological knowledge to find solutions for issues facing individuals, communities, organizations, and societies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Applied anthropology is often interdisciplinary, drawing on concepts and methods from fields like public health, environmental studies, business, and international development.
2. A key focus of applied anthropology is to use cultural understanding to improve the design and implementation of policies, programs, and interventions.
3. Applied anthropologists may work in diverse settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations, and international development projects.
4. Ethical considerations are paramount in applied anthropology, as anthropologists must navigate complex power dynamics and ensure their work benefits the communities they serve.
5. The growth of applied anthropology has expanded career opportunities for anthropologists beyond traditional academic roles, allowing them to make a direct impact on real-world issues.

Review Questions

• How does applied anthropology differ from traditional academic anthropology, and how does it contribute to the field?
  • While traditional academic anthropology focuses on theoretical research and expanding general knowledge, applied anthropology is concerned with the practical application of anthropological insights to address specific, real-world problems. Applied anthropologists use ethnographic methods and cultural understanding to inform the design and implementation of policies, programs, and interventions in diverse settings, such as public health, environmental conservation, and international development. This applied approach allows anthropology to have a direct, tangible impact on the communities and issues being studied, expanding the reach and relevance of the discipline.
• Explain how applied anthropology relates to the topics of conservation and naturalism (2.2), medical anthropology (17.1), colonization and anthropology (19.2), and the role of anthropology in indigenous communities (19.4).
  • Applied anthropology is highly relevant to the topics covered in these chapters. In the context of conservation and naturalism (2.2), applied anthropologists can use their cultural understanding to inform sustainable resource management and develop conservation strategies that are sensitive to local communities. In medical anthropology (17.1), applied anthropologists collaborate with healthcare providers to design culturally appropriate interventions and improve access to care. Regarding colonization and anthropology (19.2), applied anthropologists can work to decolonize anthropological practices and advocate for the rights and interests of indigenous peoples. Finally, in the context of indigenous communities (19.4), applied anthropology emphasizes the importance of engaging with local populations as partners, using research to support their self-determined goals and priorities.
• Analyze how the growth of applied and public anthropology (20.2, 20.3) has expanded the role and impact of anthropology in addressing societal challenges and influencing decision-making processes.
  • The rise of applied and public anthropology has significantly expanded the ways in which anthropological knowledge and methods can be leveraged to address pressing social, economic, and environmental issues. By making anthropological insights accessible to a wider, non-academic audience and actively collaborating with communities, policymakers, and stakeholders, applied and public anthropologists are able to directly influence decision-making processes and implement solutions that are grounded in cultural understanding. This shift has allowed anthropology to move beyond its traditional academic confines and have a more tangible, measurable impact on the world, ultimately demonstrating the discipline's relevance and value in tackling complex, real-world problems. The growth of these applied approaches has also broadened the career paths available to anthropologists, enabling them to apply their unique skillset in diverse professional settings and make meaningful contributions to the betterment of society.

Related terms

Public Anthropology: Public anthropology focuses on making anthropological research and insights accessible and relevant to a wider, non-academic audience in order to address social, political, and economic issues.

Action Anthropology: Action anthropology is a collaborative approach where anthropologists work directly with communities to identify problems and co-create solutions, often involving advocacy and social change.

Engaged Anthropology: Engaged anthropology emphasizes the active involvement of anthropologists in the communities they study, using research to support the goals and interests of those communities.