APPLIED and PRACTICING ANTHROPOLOGY

The field of applied and practicing anthropology is dedicated to putting to use the knowledge anthropology has produced and will continue to produce. The field of applied and practicing anthropology is dedicated to putting to use the knowledge anthropology has produced and will continue to produce.

Applied and practicing anthropologists usually work in non-academic settings such as: government agencies, international development agencies, private consulting firms, public health organizations, medical schools, public interest law firms, community development agencies, charitable foundations and profit making businesses. Applied and practicing anthropologists usually work in non-academic settings such as: government agencies, international development agencies, private consulting firms, public health organizations, medical schools, public interest law firms, community development agencies, charitable foundations and profit making businesses.

Some applied and practicing anthropologists go back and forth between academic and non-academic settings. Some applied and practicing anthropologists go back and forth between academic and non-academic settings.

The two principle professional organizations for applied and practicing anthropologists are the Society for Applied Anthropology which is a separate organization and the National Association of Practicing Anthropology which is a section of the American Anthropological Association. The two principle professional organizations for applied and practicing anthropologists are the Society for Applied Anthropology which is a separate organization and the National Association of Practicing Anthropology which is a section of the American Anthropological Association.

The origins of applied and practicing anthropology are rooted in the fieldwork experiences of anthropologists with disadvantaged populations within the USA and abroad. The compelling problems and human suffering starkly called attention for solutions. The origins of applied and practicing anthropology are rooted in the fieldwork experiences of anthropologists with disadvantaged populations within the USA and abroad. The compelling problems and human suffering starkly called attention for solutions.

During World War II and again during the Vietnam War applied and practicing anthropology experienced growth periods. During World War II and again during the Vietnam War applied and practicing anthropology experienced growth periods.

In the case of the former anthropologists were called upon to aid with the war effort in various ways but principally in understand human behavior across cultural lines. In the case of the former anthropologists were called upon to aid with the war effort in various ways but principally in understand human behavior across cultural lines.

In the case of the latter a reorientation of cultural values and priorities led to a greater need for applied and practicing anthropologists. In the case of the latter a reorientation of cultural values and priorities led to a greater need for applied and practicing anthropologists.

Applied and practicing anthropologists have ethical and practical concerns about the programs which they engage seeking to help others i.e. client populations. Applied and practicing anthropologists have ethical and practical concerns about the programs which they engage seeking to help others i.e. client populations.

Among the ethical concerns are issues concerning whom the project benefits and the long term consequences of the project. Among the ethical concerns are issues concerning whom the project benefits and the long term consequences of the project.

Among the practical concerns are modes of communication within the client population; prevailing power structures both within the client population and the sponsoring agency and the reception/perception of those seeking to operate the project by the client group. Among the practical concerns are modes of communication within the client population; prevailing power structures both within the client population and the sponsoring agency and the reception/perception of those seeking to operate the project by the client group.

As a hopeful sign more and more applied and practicing anthropological projects are being collaboratively with the client groups and often sponsored by such groups. As a hopeful sign more and more applied and practicing anthropological projects are being collaboratively with the client groups and often sponsored by such groups.

Cultural resource management (CRM) usually takes the form of contract archaeology and seeks to record, conserve or manage cultural resources such as parks, historic and pre-historic sites. Cultural resource management (CRM) usually takes the form of contract archaeology and seeks to record, conserve or manage cultural resources such as parks, historic and pre-historic sites.

CRM professionals are hired most often by contract from governments or increasingly in the USA by Native American groups. CRM professionals are hired most often by contract from governments or increasingly in the USA by Native American groups.

Forensic anthropology is the use of anthropology to solve crimes. Some examples of forensic anthropology include: Clyde Snow and his forensic teams who investigate d cases of genocide and political mass killings. Forensic anthropology is the use of anthropology to solve crimes. Some examples of forensic anthropology include: Clyde Snow and his forensic teams who investigate d cases of genocide and political mass killings.