Short Abstract:

In this round table we want to create a space for discussion on the different forms of communicating a world on the move, aimed at audiences of non-anthropologists. People on the move or those whose movement is restricted are nowadays at the centre of the public debate, not only because of the difficulties imposed on movement by the COVID-19 pandemic. Global economic inequalities, political conflicts and climate change force people to move both as migrants and refugees. Those, however, are often represented in the mainstream media as a burden or a threat, being demonized and denied the right to move. Which means of communication and which language should we use to talk to the media and wider public to counter this discourse by introducing our anthropological knowledge and perspective? Participating in television broadcasts, organising events for schools, writing for magazines and newspapers, telling stories, designing itineraries for exhibitions, providing affordable materials in museums, raising awareness through social media and film-making are just some of the ways to make anthropological perspective available to everyone and able to shape public debates. In this meeting we would like to share our knowledge and experience on the opportunities, methods, techniques and tools to be used so that the anthropologist can attract and engage non-professional audiences, build a link between the academic world and society and finally enhance the figure of the anthropologist among those who still ignore her/his role in today's society.

Long Abstract:

In this round table we want to create a space for discussion on the different forms of communicating a world on the move, aimed at audiences of non-anthropologists. Talking to the media, participating in television broadcasts, organising events for school students, parents and teachers, writing for magazines and newspapers, telling stories or writing biographies, making yourself available for interviews, designing itineraries for exhibitions, providing accessible materials in museums, involving policy makers, raising awareness through social media and film-making are just some of the ways to make anthropological perspective available to everyone and able to shape public debates. People on the move or those whose movement is restricted are nowadays at the centre of the public debate, not only because of the difficulties imposed on movement by the COVID-19 pandemic. Global economic inequalities, political conflicts and climate change force people both to move as migrants and refugees. Those, however, are often represented in the mainstream media as a burden or a threat, being demonized and denied the right to move. Which means of communication and which language should we use to talk to the media and wider public to counter this discourse by introducing our anthropological knowledge and perspective? Since the communicative process, before arriving at a verbal, written, oral or visual codification/communication, requires a prerequisite, that we know how to decode/understand the reality and needs of the addressees, we then ask ourselves: 1) What can the anthropologists do to read, understand and interpret the communicative needs of an audience of non-anthropologists? 2) How can they speak and write to an audience that needs their intervention and commitment in today's society? 3) Which languages can they use? 4) Which methodologies, techniques and communication tools are the most effective? In this round table we would like to share our knowledge and experience, in a debate format, on the opportunities, methods, techniques and tools to be used so that the anthropologist can attract and engage non-professional audiences, build a link between the academic world and society and finally enhance the figure of the anthropologist among those who still ignore her/his role in today's society.

Keywords:

communication; moving world; migrants and refugees; audiences of non-anthropologists; anthropology for all; public anthropology

The Round Table is co-sponsored by IUAES Commission Anthropology and Education and IUAES Commission on Documentation.