The Advanced Forum of Applied Anthropology was held at Jishou University on May 21st.

On May 21^st, the Advanced Forum of Applied Anthropology was held at Jishou University, Hunan Province. 11 speakers from seven countries with backgrounds varying broadly across academia and business gave presentations largely centered around the intersections of anthropological research and business research, though topics ranged as far as documentary film characteristics between nations. Discussing the future of applied anthropology, attendees commented on the unique development of the discipline in China as well as how questions facing Chinese applied anthropologists bear increasing relevance internationally.

Pedro Oliveira, an applied anthropologist from Portugal, explained that anthropology used to be regarded as an ivory tower discipline, focused entirely on its own theories, a press release on Jishou Univeristy’s School of History and Culture said. However, he noted that some of the blame for this conception falls on anthropologists themselves. Going forward, Oliveira exhorted that the future of applied anthropology lies in its ability to make itself relevant to various economies worldwide. 

Attendees elaborated that China’s economic and social achievements in China since reform and opening up have provided an immense opportunity for the growth of applied anthropology in China. In the press release, Luo Kanglong, a professor at the Institute of Advanced Study for Applied Anthropology at Jishou University, said that “the fundamental reason why anthropology can make such significant strides (in China’s present situation) is because of Chinese anthropologists’ concern with the actual conditions of China. (Engaging this focus in China’s reality), they apply anthropological theories and methods to deal with different issues in China’s process of economic and social development.”

 

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today, No. 455, May 27, 2013

                                                                                                                          Translated by Zhang Mengying