Anthropology is a discipline that involves the study of human beings and incorporates theory, method, applied and action. Applied anthropology is the most rapidly growing area in the discipline. Applied anthropology refers to any anthropological research done to practical problems. This is to mean that there are stakeholders and clients who either gain or lose in this kind of research ("What is Applied Anthropology? | Department of Anthropology", 2019). Applied anthropology can be applied in different disciplines including research, policy analysts, need assessment, impact assessment, community assessment, training among others. In simple terms, applied anthropology refers to anthropology put into use as stated by van Willigen ("What is Applied Anthropology? | Department of Anthropology", 2019) . In both Britain and the United States, the term applied anthropology mainly refers to the employment of anthropologists by organizations that are involved in causing change or enhancing human welfare.
Applied anthropology can be defined as the direct use of anthropological theory, data, method, skills, and perspectives to identify, assess and provide solutions to specific human problems ("What is Applied Anthropology? | Department of Anthropology", 2019). According to Erve Chambers, applied anthropology refers to the inquiry of the relationships between anthropological knowledge, and using this knowledge in the world beyond anthropology. Chambers argue that applied anthropologists use the knowledge, skills, and perspective of their discipline to solve human problems and also to facilitate change. Erve Chambers classified the roles of applied anthropologists into five groups. These include culture brokers, public policy formation and implementation, medical anthropology, anthropology and education, and evaluation ("Applied Anthropology", 2019).
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Applied Anthropologists as Culture Brokers
Often referred to medical anthropologists, applied anthropologists act as culture brokers for client groups through representation and explaining the interests of their clients to professionals. This is made in an attempt to negotiate for access to better care, negotiate for the improvement of screening and treatment services, and greater availability of educational programs. In such contexts, the anthropologists are considered to be in a position of power relative to the clients that they are representing. The clients are assumed to lack the capability to represent themselves effectively. Attempts to have a reverse brokerage rarely happen. There is a need for the anthropologists to explain the assumptions and the priorities of the policymakers and the funding agents to their clients. This helps to shift the frames of reference from both parties thus making it possible to create collaboration in community health initiatives.
Role of Applied Anthropologists in Public Policy Formation and Implementation
Applied anthropologists play a significant role in the formulation and implementation of public policy. They assist in formulating critical issues in our society, proposing solutions that meet the desires of the people and creating a synergy between theory and practice (Okongwu & Mencher, n.d.). Anthropologists attempt to close the gap in public policy formulation and implementation by conducting sessions with the locals that educate on policy matters (Okongwu & Mencher, n.d.).
Applied Anthropologists as Medical Anthropology
Medical anthropologists make use of their medical knowledge together with the cultural and the biological aspects of anthropology to establish or understand how human health is affected by social and cultural factors, the spread of diseases and how to treat certain illnesses. They work in different careers including medicine and medical research in both government and academia.
Role of Applied Anthropologists in Anthropology and Education
Applied anthropology contributes to education through by emphasizing on the role of culture and that of the social context in the delivery of social services. Applied anthropology helps to identify the social concerns of the minorities by criticizing other social works.
Role of Applied Anthropologists in Evaluation
Applied anthropologists help in the evaluation and re-examining of public policies and programs based on the desire to achieve higher success rates. It helps to evaluate the effectiveness of the resources employed to drive development programs meant in the societies we live in. These include evaluating how the programs are meeting the intended purposes of the beneficiaries, the degree of success and also evaluating how well these programs can be improved to achieve higher success.
Conclusion
Applied anthropology is geared towards ensuring the goals and the desires of the societies are being achieved. This includes ensuring that development agenda and also societal issues are being addressed as per the desires of the people living in that locality. It also helps in ensuring that the needs of the people are being considered when formulating public policy, as well as ensuring that the general public understands the implication of new policies being developed (Okongwu & Mencher, n.d.).
References
Applied Anthropology. (2019). Retrieved from https://web.csulb.edu/programs/applied-anthro/
Okongwu, A., & Mencher, J. The Anthropology of Public Policy: Shifting Terrains. Annual Review Of Anthropology, 29.
What is Applied Anthropology? | Department of Anthropology. (2019). Retrieved from http://anthropology.unt.edu/what-anthropology/what-applied-anthropology
