Applied Anthropology

After the last discussion about applied anthropology - I was curious about the history and the future of this field so I did some research about the definition, the history, and the career opportunities/employment of applied anthropology!

The concept of "applied anthropology" dates back to at least 1906, when it was used to announce the establishment of a diploma program at Oxford, while the term "practical anthropology" was used as early as the 1860s by James Hunt, founder of the Anthropological Society of London. Radcliffe-Brown was the first to use the term, "applied anthropology", in an article published in 1930, 'Anthropology as Public Service and Malinowski's Contribution to It.' Current definitions of applied anthropology tend to revolve around the notion of solving contemporary human problems by drawing from a body of knowledge rooted in anthropology.

The British were the first to formally recognize the practical value of anthropology and also the first to employ applied anthropologists. E.B. Tylor considered anthropology to be a "policy science" and advocated its use in improving the human condition. Anthropology was first used in the administration of the British colonies under the rubric of indirect rule.

Applied anthropologists find themselves in a host of careers with multi-faceted job descriptions. Though the most frequent role is that of researcher, applied anthropologists are often also implementers, mediators, coordinators, administrators, evaluators, activists, and cultural and political "motivators". Traditional areas of applied anthropology include health, education, and international development, whereas newer areas include legal planning, energy policy, housing, and welfare reform. Applied anthropologists may work in a number of settings: as short or long-term consultants, full time government employees, for advocacy-oriented private businesses, in academic institutions, or as collaborators at the local level. Jobs available to applied anthropologists are usually also available to other social scientists: for example, consultant, social science analysts, project leader, associate coordinator, finance officer, placement specialist, associate consultant, program evaluator, educational specialist, director of research, and contracts administrator. According to the 1997-1998 AAA Guide, applied anthropology is one of the major areas of growth for the future of anthropology.