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Paper short abstract

This paper examines Thomas Hylland Eriksen’s approach to Public Anthropology. What is often overlooked is his never-ending engagement to promote Anthropology in schools. His legacy may inspire us to advocate for more diversity-sensitive education systems at the European level.

Paper long abstract

This paper examines Thomas Hylland Eriksen’ approach to Public Anthropology which is well known in Applied Anthropology. However, what is often overlooked in his many publications is his outstanding commitment to schools. He was never too busy to visit a school in Norway and elsewhere whenever invited, and had a lasting impact on curricula with the school books he co-edited.

In a globalized world of increasing mobility, poly-cultural societies and – at the same time – growing polarization as well as authoritarian resistance against diversity, it is high time for anthropologists to become more engaged, take a clear stance and contribute to inter-cultural understanding starting at an early age. Eriksen’s work with school children proved to be most successful in this regard and is widely practiced in Norwegian high-schools today. What has been applied in Norway may serve as a role model to other countries. The paper explores the possibilities for concerted action on a European level.