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AnthroCurrents September 7, 2017

A fascinating read about Canadian university’s efforts to decolonize education, including topics typically considered “neutral” such as design.  The article includes highlights from design anthropologist Dori Tunstall who is infusing indigenous awareness, history and unconscious bias education into design curriculum.  The student examples are powerful representations of how we can reimagine education and design by…

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AnthroCurrents August 23, 2017

For those of you who haven’t read enough about the solar eclipse, anthropologist Christine Boston talks about how cultures interpreted a solar eclipse & NPR discusses the role of solar eclipses in religion. An anthropologist’s take on happiness research. Anthropologist Karen Stephenson is studying social networks, soft power & trust in the Heartland that are…

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AnthroCurrents June 7, 2017

If you haven’t yet, you should check out the new season of the Invisibila podcast.  The first 2 episodes feature Renato Rosaldo and his discovery of a new emotion. One anthropologist photographs the bathtub marys of Sommerville, Massachusetts. Business anthropologist Martha Bird shares her perspective on what anthropology brings to designing new technologies.  Do you…

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AnthroCurrents May 24, 2017

Fixing corruption is just one of many results a new development consulting firm in Bangladesh has accomplished.  The startup boasts anthropology and design thinking are the keys to sustainable solutions to real-life problems.  Pretty cool. This article is basically saying you can get a degree in anthropology…as long as you work in computer science rather…

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AnthroCurrents May 10, 2017

  Ever heard of neurodiversity?  Anthropologists are studying how workplace culture, norms and beliefs are changing to be more inclusive of autistic employees. Anthropologist T. N. Pandit shares a heartfelt reflection of regret by for his role in encouraging remote hunter-gatherer tribes of the Andaman Islands contact with the outside world. For those of you…

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AnthroCurrents April 27, 2017

Ugandan anthropologist and activist Stella Nyanzi was arrested for cyber harassment when the government changed their minds about giving free sanitary pads to girls who miss school during their period because they cannot afford them. This haunting exhibit of items U.S.-Mexico border crossers leave behind forces visitors to see the ‘contemporary calamity’ we many times…

Empathy of Anthropology — anthro/studio

The number one rule in practicing anthropology is to be empathetic. This rule is incredibly important in today’s technological landscape. As we get increasingly intimate with our devices, work places, and institutions, producers are beginning to employ empathy —— often under a process called human-centered design. The popularity of this “innovative” design philosophy made me wonder:…

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AnthroCurrents April 12, 2017

Have you ever been wished happy birthday by your ATM? Genevieve Bell, leading tech anthropologist has.  And she says it’s creepy. Check out some fieldwork in action as anthropologist Sarah Lamb interviews 105 year-old Agnes Mullay. When death becomes political.  Kristian Tamtomo reflects on Geertz & Greek tragedies. Finally, more anthropologists are getting political, including…