Paper short abstract:

Anthropologists have long been told to “study up” (Nader 1972). In this paper I discuss my experience ‘conversing out and up’ to corporate workers and business leaders regarding the value of anthropological methods and theories.

Paper long abstract:

Anthropology is increasingly capturing the attention of the corporate world. Silicon Valley is apparently awash with anthropologically trained IT specialists, while companies such as Red Associates (Denmark, USA) have built their brand around the anthropological method. Likewise, recent works such as “Anthro-Vision” by Gillian Tett (2021) speak to the use of anthropology for business and government, and the efforts of a small but growing group of anthropologists to promote and employ the discipline in the realm of business and consumer research.

In this paper I share some of my experiences working as an Anthropologist for hire for various advertising and research agencies in Australia and the United Kingdom. I discuss how, within the corporate world, there are many misconceptions of what cultural anthropology is and what anthropologists do. I consider the benefits of encouraging the use of anthropology in the business world, as well as the challenges and caveats. I argue that in the wake of anthropology school closures at UWA and the broader vocational trends towards STEM and away from the social sciences, anthropologists in the business world may have an important role in promoting the discipline. Rather than only “study up” (Nader 1972), then, I propose we think about conversing out and up to corporate workers and business leaders.