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Christine McCourt In a range of countries, the public value of and sup- terventions continues. Similarly, anthropological in- port for a range of academic disciplines has been ques- volvement with development and with health-related tioned and debated. While in the U.S., the role of research is nothing new, while other fields of engage- humanities and social sciences and their place in ment have opened up – design anthropology being higher education have been challenged, in the U.K. one example. How does the new impact agenda in funding support for less obviously ‘applied’ subjects higher education relate to this history and how are ac- has also been cut, along with the introduction of ademic anthropology departments tackling it? higher student fees in all subjects. The current focus The focus of Anthropology in Action is specifically on on demonstrating the utilitarian value of higher edu- the ways in which anthropology is engaged with pub- cation, particularly for the less clearly professional or lic matters, and it aims to encourage such work and technical subjects, as opposed to those referred to as provide a forum (along with the APPLY network e-list STEM (science, technology, engineering and medical) and also now our new Anthropology in Action face- subjects requires more discussion. Following the re- book page) for discussing this and for contact and idea cent Research Excellence Framework Exercise in the exchanges between people working outside academic U.K., which introduced formal assessment of ‘re- anthropology, as well as those situated within it. We search impact’, it is timely to reflect on the engage- encourage readers to submit contributions such as let- ment of anthropology with public policy and practice, ters, comments and discussions and accounts of their and how it makes an impact on these spheres. For ex- own experiences and careers, as much as research- ample, we might ask how can impact be measured, based articles that demonstrate the myriad engage- and how will we know the impact of the impact ments of anthropology with policy and practice issues agenda itself? Comparable questions have been raised and with public discourse and concerns. within anthropology about the audit culture and a With this agenda in mind, we are also inviting sub- focus on measurability. We all surely wish for anthro- missions of articles and comment or debate pieces or pology to make a meaningful impact on the public other contributions for a planned special issue reflect- sphere, and to contribute to social wellbeing, but how ing on the issue of ‘impact’, including questions such can or should these be assessed, and does the process as: how do we define and measure impact? How do of assessment bring value, or detract from this work? anthropologists engage with public policy and dis- Anthropology of course has a long history of various course in order to make an impact? Contributions are forms of engagement, particularly through sponsor- welcome from all countries with a view to inclusion ship by colonial governments, keen to utilise anthro- in a 2015 issue. Please contact me by e-mail if you are pological knowledge in the service of governance, and interested in contributing. debate about the role of anthropologists in military in- Anthropology in Action, 21, no. 1 (Spring 2014): 1 © Berghahn Books and the Association for Anthropology in Action ISSN 0967-201X (Print) ISSN 1752-2285 (Online) doi: 10.3167/aia.2014.210101
Anthropology in Action – Berghahn Books
Published: Mar 1, 2014
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