Engaged Anthropology
Reimagining Social Transformation in Collaborative Anthropological Research

In the rapidly evolving context of modern democratic societies, challenged by global movements for climate justice, gender equality, LGBTQ rights, indigenous sovereignty etc., there emerges a pressing need for innovative approaches to social and ecological crises. The lunch lecture series "Engaged Anthropology: Reimagining Social Transformation in Collaborative Anthropological Research", offers an in-depth exploration into how cultural anthropology can actively contribute to understanding and fostering societal transformation.

Engaged anthropology, public anthropology or participatory research are approaches that aim to strengthen the link between science and society. Our research, especially in the field of anthropology, should not take place in an isolated (and often hierarchical) manner, but should be applicable to non-academic areas. These research approaches aim to explore and influence social reality in partnership. Social actors are involved as co-researchers or creative methods bring science and society closer together.

This lunch lecture uniquely positions itself as a conduit between theoretical knowledge and practical research. We navigate through the multifaceted realms of engaged anthropology and collaborative research across the globe presented in the lecture series — from indigenous movements in Latin America to interventions in restitution negotiations of stolen art in Namibia, and to the fervent demands for the recognition and democratic participation of queer people in Europe. Through engaged, activist, or collaborative research approaches, we aim to foster a profound understanding of anthropology as a method of taking responsibility for the world's past and future.

The lunch lecture series fosters a dialogue among various anthropological sub-disciplines and a myriad of civil society, institutional, and activist actors. By integrating these discussions with theoretical knowledge and research practice, students are equipped with the insights and tools necessary for spearheading innovative contributions to societal issues. Moreover, this lecture series lays the groundwork for building invaluable networks that students can leverage in their future research careers.