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- Convenors:
-
John Curran
(JC Associates London)
Simon Roberts (Stripe Partners)
- Formats:
- Panels
- Location:
- Studio
- Start time:
- 10 June, 2012 at
Time zone: Europe/London
- Session slots:
- 2
Short Abstract:
This session will bring together leading academics, business anthropologists and commentators to explore the past, present and future of anthropology in business and how anthropology departments can add to this growing relationship.
Long Abstract:
Over the last decade a number of books that outline the work of anthropologists in business have been published (Pink 2006; Sunderland and Denny 2007; Cefkin 2009; Clarke 2010), and conferences addressing this activity have become more common (e.g., EPIC).
This session will bring together leading academics, business anthropologists and commentators to explore the past, present and future of anthropology in business and how anthropology departments can add to this relationship. Specifically, the session will explore the following topics and questions:
• What does anthropology and ethnography offer to business and policy makers?
• What is the journey from Ph.D to business or policy anthropologist?
• What are the threats and opportunities of these applications of anthropology? And how can or should anthropologists within academic departments respond?
Session format
The session will be a roundtable, discussion format featuring some of the leading anthropologists working in business or policy settings or as advocates for anthropology's role. The panel consists of:
Gillian Tett, US Managing Editor, Financial Times. Anthropologist and author of Fool's Gold
Simon Pulman-Jones, Global Director of Innovation and Ethnography at GfK. Anthropologist
Stephanie Linsdale, ReD Associates and anthropology graduate of LSE (2011)
Simon Roberts (Co-Convener and Chair) Business Anthropologist, ReD Associates
John Curran (Co-Convener and Discussant) Business Anthropologist, 7bn Insight and Strategy
The session will begin with a short introductory comment from each panellist. The session will devote a considerable portion of time to audience involvement and participation through Q and A.
Accepted papers:
Session 1Paper short abstract:
Simon is a business anthropologist with over twelve years experience of developing and growing the human-centred innovation offer of major global professional services companies.
Paper long abstract:
From 2000 to 2004, he worked for Sapient Corporation in the US, on the leadership team of its pioneering Experience Modeling capability. Since 2004, Simon has been responsible for the growth and development of the human-centred innovation capability of global market research and business information agency, GfK. His role at GfK now includes responsibility for coporate r&d, with a particular focus on the integration of digital and other emerging technologies within GfK's business.
Simon received his PhD in Social Anthropology from the LSE in 1996. His doctoral research was set in a therapeutic unit for children with acute emotional and behavioural difficulties, at the Tavistock Clinic in London. From 1997 to 2000 he was a founder member of the London Business School Future Media Programme, a leading research centre on the impact of the internet on consumption and business. Before studying anthropology Simon worked as documentary film cameraman and producer.
Paper short abstract:
Stephanie graduated from the London School of Economics in 2011 with a BSc in Social Anthropology (First Class Honours). Having developed a passionate interest in applied Anthropology throughout her studies, she wrote various articles for student journals and newspapers on the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, expressing curiosity about anthropologists' confinement within academic boundaries, as well as its lack of application to the business world. Following a period of experimentation with visual anthropology in Darjeeling, India, Stephanie wrote her thesis on the value of collaboration between visual anthropologists and documentary film makers, setting out a new methodological approach for the discipline drawing on Hastrup's Reflexive theory. Upon joining ReD Associates as a consultant in 2011, Stephanie has had a chance to explore her curiosity for applied anthropology in a business context, strengthening her desire to inspire anthropologists of her generation that their discipline can and should be applied outside of academia.
Paper long abstract:
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Paper short abstract:
After having worked in the design industry for several years, focusing on consumer trends, design strategy, innovation management and market research, Viola decided to go back to University to study for an MA in Social Anthropology at Goldsmiths College, University of London. As products and services are designed for people by people, Viola saw Social Anthropology as means to develop her interest. Through the unique mixture of her BE in Product Design, an MSc in Strategic Product Design and the MA in Anthropology (finishing in Sept. 2012), Viola balances a passion for creative thinking with an analytical and human centric approach to her work. As a senior strategist at 7bn: Insight & Strategy, Viola strongly believes in bridging the gap between business objectives through people-centred design; balancing consumer insights with the client’s requirements and capabilities, and developing this into a strategy for brand and product/service design. Applied Anthropology has turned out to be a great bridge between the two.
Paper long abstract:
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Paper short abstract:
Simon is a leading business anthropologist whose work over the last decade, with global businesses and policy making organisations, has centred on ageing, technology, media and innovation. His doctoral research focused on the satellite TV revolution in mid 1990s India, after which he established Ideas Bazaar, the UK’s first ethnographic research consultancy. Between 2005-2011 he ran a R&D lab for Intel in Dublin, dedicated to ageing and healthcare. His team of researchers, designers and technologists worked globally to identity product and service opportunities in an ageing world. During that time, Simon was seconded to Raceonline 2012 where he wrote a strategy report for Martha Lane Fox, the UK Digital Champion, on older people and the internet. His work as a business anthropologist has been covered by, amongst others, The FT, The Daily Telegraph, Marketing Week and BBC Radio 4’s Shop Talk programme. Simon is married with 3 children and lives in London.
Paper long abstract:
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Paper short abstract:
John is a business anthropologist who has over 10 years experience working with some of the biggest global companies to develop their brand, marketing and design innovation strategies. He is co-founder of 7bn, a insight and strategy agency in London, which consists of anthropologists, human factor specialists, designers and innovation specialists. Whilst studying social anthropology at LSE he was awarded The Michael Sallnow Prize for Anthropology. He studied for his PhD in social anthropology at Goldsmiths College where his research explored the organisational culture of psychiatric hospitals in London. John is also a trained organisational change consultant and facilitator. He sits on expert advisory panels at The Design Council and Demos think tank. John regularly gives talks on innovation and branding for companies such as the BBC and has written on branding, global football and anthropological methodology and theory.
Paper long abstract:
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