Introduction to Applied Anthropology and Design Anthropology
Christina Wasson, a renowned anthropologist and expert in User Experience (UX), delivered an invited lecture at the University of the Americas Puebla (UDLAP) for the Antropology program. Wasson, a Yale University alumna and professor at the University of North Texas, emphasized the transformative potential of applied anthropology in generating ethical and useful knowledge for designing more human-centered and sustainable futures.
Design Anthropology: Combining Ethnographic Observation and Design Creativity
Design anthropology, a field pioneered by Wasson, merges ethnographic observation with design creativity to understand how people use and attribute meaning to everyday products and services. Wasson highlighted that design anthropology focuses on imagining and creating what does not yet exist through interdisciplinary collaboration among anthropologists, designers, engineers, and experts from various fields.
Wasson’s Notable Projects and Collaborations
During her lecture, Wasson showcased several projects she developed with her students for leading US companies such as Blizzard Entertainment and Nissan. With Blizzard Entertainment, mixed teams of anthropologists and designers collaborated to analyze user behavior and translate ethnographic findings into digital experience improvements. In collaboration with Nissan’s research lab, they explored how people relate to autonomous vehicles.
Wasson also presented a collaborative research project with doctors Monali Longmailai and Bihung Brahma, focusing on indigenous communities in northern India. This initiative applied design anthropology principles to adapt the digital platform Mukurtu to local knowledge systems and languages, ensuring communities maintained ownership and control of their digital cultural heritage.
Building an Innovative and Ethical Future
Wasson underscored that applied anthropology is a rapidly growing field with diverse professional opportunities beyond academia. “Cultivating a career awareness in applied anthropology and other fields is building a future for anthropology,” she encouraged students to actively participate in transforming organizations.
The Role of Imagination and Ethical Action in Anthropology
Dr. José Gerardo Traslosheros Hernández, dean of the School of Social Sciences at UDLAP, emphasized the importance of anthropological imagination and ethical action. “Through ethnography and anthropological theory, we can deeply understand people’s experiences, values, and contexts, generating crucial knowledge to transform products, services, and organizations,” he stated.
Traslosheros added that Wasson’s presence “strengthens our commitment to forming professionals who understand the complexities of the contemporary world and actively contribute to its positive transformation.”
UDLAP’s Commitment to Academic Innovation and Interdisciplinary Education
In celebration of UDLAP’s 85th anniversary and its 55 years in Puebla, the university reaffirmed its dedication to academic innovation and interdisciplinary education. “The Bachelor’s program in Antropology provides a robust foundation that combines theoretical rigor with practical application, preparing students to engage in projects linking academia with real-world needs,” Traslosheros concluded.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Christina Wasson? Christina Wasson is a distinguished anthropologist and UX expert who has made significant contributions to the field of applied or design anthropology.
- What is design anthropology? Design anthropology combines ethnographic observation with design creativity to understand user experiences and inform the development of more human-centered products and services.
- What projects has Wasson worked on? Wasson has collaborated with companies like Blizzard Entertainment and Nissan, analyzing user behavior and exploring relationships with autonomous vehicles. She has also worked on adapting digital platforms for indigenous communities in India.
- Why is applied anthropology important? Applied anthropology offers valuable insights for creating ethical and useful knowledge, driving innovation across various fields and contributing to sustainable, human-centered futures.
- What is UDLAP’s commitment to its Antropology program? UDLAP’s Antropology program emphasizes interdisciplinary education, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application to prepare students for real-world challenges.
