Short Abstract:

Whether we are doing fieldwork or not, we live as anthropologists in our own worlds, well or unwell. This laboratory asks participants to consider how we may use our training, knowledge and experience to help make that world a better one for those who share our everyday lives.

Long Abstract:

This proposal was formulated by two elderly anthropologists who have retired only formally but not in essence. We think that post-employment time is preferably seen as a kind of renaissance. Our life experience is arguably even more valuable than our academic professionalism, and we think this can be employed to good use in the different worlds we inhabit.

One of us [JH] spends much time in a society which is relatively unfamiliar. Although never consciously doing fieldwork, she observes, shares her conviction that her choice of career was a good one, and has been introducing the subject to Scottish schools. In the laboratory, she will share her observations of the positive aspects of that society, and explain how she thinks her anthropological background may contribute to it. The other of us [RH] now lives in a retirement estate. Flats are individually owned and all co-residents found downsizing a difficult challenge. She is preparing a booklet for new residents derived from anthropology’s insights into rituals of incorporation and unspoken rules for appropriate conduct. She is being encouraged by neighbours’ feedback that this would be helpful.

We will ask those who join the laboratory to share some of their own worlds, and see if together we might work out ways that our background as social anthropologists has made us into citizens who can bring some peace, harmony and even joy into the world. We could also speculate about possible further contributions, especially for others approaching retirement from the academic funfair.