Paper short abstract:

Anthroprospective is an online journal that promotes important research from social scientists working around the world in new & innovative ways. It aims to bridge the divide between academia and mainstream media by promoting research to wider audiences via the website and social media platforms.

Paper long abstract:

There are two barriers that have made it difficult for social science research to breach academic boundaries in order to engage a broader audience. Firstly, unpalatable and jargon-filled academic literature is usually not written for the public and therefore remains inaccessible to most of the population. Additionally, research publications are largely only available to those who are enrolled in an educational institution. Consequently, the benefits of research seldom reach the everyday person. Evidently, the impacts of social science research are not penetrating the walls of academia’s ivory tower. Secondly, social science faculties throughout the country are undergoing damaging re-structures and budget cuts which is profoundly impacting the discipline by reducing the quality of course content, the well-being of academics, and enrollment numbers.

Anthroprospective’s purpose is to counter these factors. In a move to bridge academic literature into more creative and accessible platforms, Anthroprospective interviews social researchers who work across diverse fields around the world to demonstrate the diverse pathways available in the social sciences. We also publish short and long-form articles on a range of social issues relevant to today's society. Importantly, we harness the full power of social media to promote our content to a more expansive audience and have found social media to be an invaluable tool in cultivating a strong community of diverse readers. It is our vision to find new and innovative ways to ensure that anthropology remains current and relevant in today's society as we believe its role today is more important than ever.