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PRACTICING ANTHROPOLOGY
ABSTRACT
The themes, trends, and significant events of 2008 demonstrate that anthropology has established a new foothold in the public sphere-one that makes the most of novel forms of communication to reach far beyond the ivory tower to disseminate knowledge widely and freely. This review focuses on six topical areas of robust anthropological research in 2008 that also addressed some of the year's most pressing problems and issues, including the following: (1) war and peace; (2) climate change; (3) natural, industrial, and development-induced disaster recovery; (4) human rights; (5) health disparities; and (6) racial understanding, politics, and equity in the United States. It concludes by addressing some emerging issues in 2009 that especially require anthropological attention and insight, if we are to move beyond "business as usual."
[Keywords: practicing anthropology, public anthropology, 2009 trends, anthropological impacts]
LOOKING BACK on the themes, trends, and significant events of the past year, it is clear that anthropology has established a new foothold in the public sphere - one that harnesses novel forms of communication to reach far beyond the traditional "ivory tower" and offer anthropological perspectives on the issues of our time in accessible and innovative ways. Throughout the upheavals and surprises of 2008, anthropologists made important and distinct contributions to public debate, discourse, and knowledge. Indeed, whereas during the late 1990s and early 2000s many anthropologists devoted ample time to questioning how to bolster the public face of anthropology, this review of practicing anthropology in 2008 demonstrates that their mission is accomplished.
To provide a comprehensive review of the myriad efforts anthropologists made every day to inspire, instigate, analyze, and reflect on social change would be impossible. Thus, I have narrowed my scope of inquiry according to the parameters that follow. Briefly, my definition of practicing anthropology adheres to that established by AA Associate Editor for Practicing Anthropology, Barbara Rose Johnston. In her June 2008 inaugural essay for American Anthropologist, Johnston states:
Practicing anthropology is not a fifth field but, rather, a common dimension of all anthropological work. As a term and a subject area, practicing anthropology refers to that broad array of research, methods, and outcomes conducted inside and outside of academia with an explicit problematized focus, often in collaborative and participatory contexts,...