The Anthropology in Business podcast is for anthropologists and business leaders interested in learning more about the many ways anthropology is applied in business and why business anthropology is one of the most effective lenses for making sense of organizations and consumers. It is hosted by Matt Artz, a business anthropologist specializing in design anthropology and working at the intersection of product management, user experience, and business strategy. To learn more about the Anthropology in Business podcast, please visit https://mattartz.me.
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Jennifer Studebaker on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:36:04)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Jennifer Studebaker speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation focuses on Jennifer’s journey from academia to applied anthropology, her experiences in various roles, including project management and market research, and her recent work on the Career Tools for Anthropology workbook. Jennifer shares insights on the value of anthropological skills in business settings, the importance of networking, and her passion for making anthropological knowledge accessible to students and practitioners alike. She also discusses her new consulting company, Studebaker Consulting LLC, and plans to offer training in practical business skills.
About Jennifer Studebaker
Jennifer is the owner and founder of Studebaker Consulting LLC. She is a business anthropologist and a PMP® certified project manager. She has over twelve years of research, operations, and communications experience. She has worked with nonprofits, foundations, startups, market research firms, and other consultants. She is based out of Kansas City, MO, but welcomes collaboration opportunities across the US and globally.
Jennifer is a Co-Chair of the Anthropology Career Readiness Network (ACRN). Serving in this role has allowed her to give back to her discipline and help anthropology graduates discover the potential of their education. She is a co-editor and co-author of Career Tools for Anthropology. Jennifer, along with her ACRN Co-Chairs Elizabeth Briody and Riall Nolan, consults with anthropology departments on how to improve the career readiness of their curriculum. She is also a member of the Society for Applied Anthropology’s Nominations & Elections Committee.
Key Moments
00:31:30 – Jennifer explains her initial interest in archaeology and the pivot to biocultural anthropology in college.
00:05:20 – She describes her exposure to applied anthropology during graduate school at Purdue University.
00:15:35 – Jennifer shares her experience at mySidewalk, where she first applied anthropological methods to solve business challenges.
00:20:00 – She discusses her transition to the Kauffman Foundation and the importance of networking in securing the position.
00:26:20 – Jennifer talks about her interest in project management and obtaining the PMP certification.
00:30:40 – She explains the origins and development of the Career Tools for Anthropology workbook.
00:34:04 – Jennifer provides information about her consulting work and future plans for offering Google Drive training.
Recommended Links
Jennifer Studebaker on LinkedIn
Studebaker Consulting LLC
Anthropology Career Readiness Network (ACRN)
Tim Malefyt on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (Interview 2) (00:30:33)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Timothy Malefyt speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. The conversation focuses on Tim's new book, Business Anthropology: The Basics. They explore how anthropology can be applied within business contexts, making it a powerful tool for understanding organizational culture, consumer behavior, user experience, and the ever-evolving digital landscape. Tim [...]
Jay Hasbrouck on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:30:19)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Jay Hasbrouck speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. They also discuss the evolving role of anthropology and insights in business, the second edition of his book Ethnographic Thinking: From Method to Mindset, and how ethnographic thinking can help organizations navigate complexity and uncertainty in areas like [...]
Matthew J Hill on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:33:12)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Matthew J Hill speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. Matthew details his transition from the fields of chemistry and philosophy to anthropology and its application in the business context. He highlights his early experience with design anthropology and its influence on his subsequent focus on organizational development and design. Matthew discusses the approach of addressing complex organizational issues through a comprehensive perspective and outlines his process of organizational consulting.
About Matthew J Hill
Matthew J. Hill, an anthropologist specializing in organizational contexts, leads Matthew J. Hill Consulting. His current professional focus is on organizational development and design, serving mission-driven organizations, government agencies, and institutions of higher education. Matthew's professional path is marked by roles at eLab, Doblin Group, and CFAR. His academic journey encompasses a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Colorado, a Master's degree in Philosophy from Boston College, and culminates in a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Chicago.
Key Takeaways
Athropologists can apply their skills in organizational development and design by taking a holistic approach to problem-solving and understanding the complexities of organizations.
Organizational development and design require deep knowledge of the organizational context and collaboration with clients to collectively solve problems.
Anthropologists can contribute to organizational effectiveness by conducting organizational diagnosis, facilitating workshops, and helping organizations adapt to change.
Mission-driven organizations, government agencies, and higher education institutions are ideal sectors for anthropologists interested in organizational development and design.
Chapters
00:01:27 Matthew J Hill’s journey from studying chemistry to anthropology and his doctoral research in Cuba on the use of historic cities in heritage tourism.
00:06:58 Matthew’s experience at eLab and Doblin, where he applied ethnography to inform design and develop deeper insights into user needs.
00:10:00 The importance of taking a holistic approach to problem-solving and the alignment of anthropology with design thinking.
00:12:03 Challenges in the design anthropology field and the transition to working at CFAR.
00:15:33 Transition to organizational development and design work
00:19:00 Importance of contracting and defining the problem
00:20:00 Discovery work and organizational diagnosis
00:23:01 Partnership and collaboration with clients in organizational work
00:25:33 Importance of leadership and collaboration in organizations
00:26:41 Getting started in organizational work
Recommended Links
Matthew J Hill on LinkedIn
Matthew J Hill Consulting
Margret Jaeger on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:30:54)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Margret Jaeger speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. Margret discusses her journey into anthropology and her current role in the research department at the Social Fund Vienna Education Center. She explains the challenges of introducing qualitative research methods in a predominantly quantitative-focused organization. Margaret also shares her experience in building a research team and the value of interprofessional collaboration. She emphasizes the need for anthropologists to have a holistic view of the world and their ability to understand and adapt to different contexts quickly. She also discusses her advocacy work in promoting medical anthropology in healthcare education and the importance of training local trainers to ensure cultural sensitivity and relevance.
About Margret Jaeger
Margret Jaeger, an Austrian medical anthropologist, leads the research department at the Vienna Social Fund Education Centre. Her work focuses on the intersection of education and practice for care professionals, emphasizing the integration of anthropological insights into healthcare training.
In addition to her primary role, Margret co-founded the Apply Club Health of the AAN-EASA, where she actively promotes the inclusion of medical anthropology in the education of health professionals. Her efforts in this area contribute to the broader understanding and application of cultural and social perspectives in healthcare training and practice.
Key Takeaways
Introducing qualitative research methods in a predominantly quantitative-focused organization requires explaining the value and benefits repeatedly.
Building a research team involves finding individuals with the necessary training and experience and providing them with opportunities for growth and development.
Anthropologists have a unique ability to quickly understand and adapt to different contexts, making them valuable in various business sectors.
Interprofessional collaboration is essential in healthcare and other fields to address complex problems and improve outcomes.
Training local trainers is crucial to ensure cultural sensitivity and relevance in healthcare education.
Chapters
00:02:00 Margaret's interest in anthropology and journey into medical anthropology
00:04:00 Challenges of finding a job in anthropology in Austria
00:05:00 Trends of anthropologists going into other business sectors
00:07:00 Importance of networking and support among anthropologists
00:08:00 Margaret's role as researcher number one in building a research team
00:10:00 Research focus on improving courses for non-academic nurses and care professionals
00:12:00 Challenges of getting buy-in and explaining the value of research
00:13:00 Supporting colleagues as a teacher and researcher
00:14:00 Challenges of building a qualitative research team and overcoming them
Recommended Links
Margret Jaeger on LinkedIn
Apply Club for the Anthropology of Health
Kasper Tang Vangkilde on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:39:20)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Kasper Tang Vangkilde speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. Kasper discusses the challenges of bridging the gap between academic anthropology and applied anthropology and the importance of breaking down the distinction between the two. He shares the changes he has seen in the field of business anthropology over the past 15 years, including the integration of design and anthropology. Kasper expands on that and highlights the value of design anthropology in studying and changing organizations. Finally, he discusses his new role as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Business Anthropology and his current research project, RE-ANIMATE, which explores visionary designs for life-enhancing economies.
About Kasper Tang Vangkilde
Kasper Tang Vangkilde is an Associate Professor and Head of Studies at the Department of Anthropology at the University of Copenhagen and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Business Anthropology. His research interests lie at the nexus of business, organizational, and design anthropology, with a focus on formulating theoretical frameworks for understanding social and cultural dimensions in corporate settings as well as enhancing the applicability of anthropological methods in societal and business contexts. His recent work delves into "life-enhancing design," examining its implications for human and non-human life and its integration into organizational sustainability and responsibility. Vangkilde's past scholarship covers an array of topics, including creativity, branding, and organizational structures, and he has also applied anthropological approaches in the private sector.
Key Takeaways
Anthropology can be applied to the study of business and organizations, and it is important to break down the distinction between academic anthropology and applied anthropology.
The field of business anthropology has evolved over the past 15 years, with more anthropologists actively working in organizations and making an impact through their research.
Design anthropology offers valuable perspectives on studying and changing organizations, as it bridges the gap between research and application.
The ReAnimate project explores new ways visions for the economy with a focus on regenerating human and non-human life and draws on the concept of animism to understand modern tendencies.
Chapters
00:01:19 - Kasper shares how he got interested in anthropology
00:03:00 - Coincidences led Kasper to study anthropology and fashion
00:05:00 - Kasper's interest in consumption and material culture studies
00:07:00 - Kasper's PhD focus on creativity and fashion
00:08:00 - Business anthropology was perceived as new and marginal in the discipline
00:10:00 - Kasper's mission to show business anthropology as a legitimate field
00:11:00 - Using classic anthropological notions to understand business organizations
00:13:00 - Changes in the field of business anthropology in the last 15 years
00:14:23 - The history of business anthropology and its presence in academia.
00:16:00 - The emergence of design anthropology and its value in bridging research and application.
00:19:00 - Breaking down the distinction between a...
Louise Vang Jensen on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:33:52)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Louise Vang Jensen speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. Louise discusses the evolution of applying anthropology in business within a Copenhagen context. She also shares her journey from studying anthropology to joining Is It a Bird and becoming the Co-CEO. She also discusses how the practice has matured over the years and emphasizes the importance of shifting from a focus on methodology to a mindset.
About Louise Vang Jensen
Louise Vang Jensen is a partner and co-CEO at Is It a Bird, a Copenhagen-based strategic innovation agency. With a background in anthropology and over a decade of consulting experience, she focuses on integrating anthropologically informed, human-centered approaches into business. Throughout her career, Louise has led projects and facilitated teams to build innovation capacity and enact organizational change. Her competencies extend to ethnographic research, co-creation, analysis, and project management. She has collaborated with a diverse range of organizations, including commercial companies like NIKE and public sector organizations such as the Municipality of Copenhagen.
Key Takeaways
Shifting from a focus on methodology to a mindset of curiosity and reflection is crucial in applying anthropology in business.
Combining anthropology and design thinking offers strategic potential by integrating slow, reflective approaches with fast, experimental ones.
Embracing friction and uncomfortable truths can lead to valuable insights and transformation in client interactions.
Chapters
00:01:28 - Louise discovers anthropology
00:03:08 - The focus of anthropology education in Copenhagen was not on business
00:05:07 - Louise reached out to agencies to apply anthropology in business
00:06:22 - Louise joined Is It a Bird after selling a project
00:10:11 - The name "Is It a Bird" is a reference to Superman
00:11:00 - The philosophy of Is It a Bird is to start with questions and curiosity
00:15:00 - Shifted focus from methodology to mindset and value of anthropology.
00:19:00 - Transitioned from data collector to trusted advisor.
00:21:00 - Anthropology is now recognized and acknowledged in business contexts.
00:24:23 - The combination of anthropology and design in strategy
00:25:44 - The potential of anthropology in strategy and problem-solving
00:27:13 - The importance of curiosity and looking around in strategy
00:28:20 - Exploring the role of anthropology as a trusted advisor
00:30:29 - Staying in the trouble and embracing friction
00:32:00 - Encouragement for those starting their own practice
00:32:53 - The value of holding on to uncomfortable truths
Recommended Links
Louise Vang Jensen on LinkedIn
Is It a Bird
Melissa Cefkin on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:40:58)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Melissa Cefkin speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. Melissa discusses how her interest in anthropology began in high school and was further cultivated by her family's international background and experiences living abroad. She pursued her PhD at Rice University, focusing on the Middle East and questions around rethinking anthropology as a discipline. Melissa then transitioned into practicing anthropology, joining the Institute for Research on Learning and exploring the introduction of technology into work systems. This sparked her interest in studying automated systems, leading to roles at companies like IBM, Waymo, and Nissan, where she examined how people interact with and perceive autonomous vehicles. Throughout her career, Melissa has focused on the intersection of people and complex technologies, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and social theory in researching issues like automation and AI.
About Melissa Cefkin
Melissa Cefkin holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Rice University and has applied her anthropological training and multidisciplinary approach across a range of roles focused on social and behavioral research in organizational and technological settings. Most recently, she transitioned into consulting, focusing on organizational transformation and complex technology development. She previously led user experience research for autonomous vehicles at Waymo and initiated a global research team on vehicle-road user interactions at Nissan. Earlier in her career, she directed research teams at IBM and Sapient focused on data analytics, peer-to-peer work systems, and organizational learning and development. She is also the author of Ethnography and the Corporate Encounter.
Key Takeaways
Melissa's interest in anthropology began in high school and was influenced by her family's background.
Her work focuses on understanding how people interact with and make sense of automated systems.
She emphasizes the need for a social theory-informed approach to research and the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry.
Melissa believes that anthropologists can and should play a crucial role in shaping the development and implementation of complex technologies.
Chapters
00:01:14 - Melissa's early interest in anthropology
00:03:57 - Melissa's academic journey and PhD at Rice University
00:06:00 - Transition from academia to practicing anthropology
00:08:00 - Joining the Institute for Research on Learning
00:11:00 - Transition into the high-tech industry
00:12:27 - Introduction to technology in workplaces and unintended consequences.
00:14:00 - Transition to digital environments and design anthropology.
00:17:00 - Focus on automated systems and autonomous vehicles.
00:25:00 - Learning from interactions with automated systems and trust issues.
00:25:11 - Automated systems and the need for guardrails.
00:28:00 - Importance of critical thinking and social theory in research.
00:29:00 - Concerns about reliance on automated tools and solutions.
00:32:00 - Communicating social theory without jargon and references.
00:35:00 - Consulting work at the intersection of p...
Nathalie Béchet on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:33:54)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Nathalie Béchet speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. Nathalie discusses her journey into anthropology and data science. She explains how her interest in understanding social norms and the construction of society led her to anthropology. However, she felt disconnected from the academic focus on traditional topics and wanted to explore contemporary issues. This led her to pursue a master's degree in data science and digital sociology, where she learned about data collection, processing, and analysis. Nathalie emphasizes the importance of data visualization in understanding digital data and highlights the value of anthropology in questioning the obvious and uncovering biases. She also shares her insights on the metaverse and blockchain, challenging the negative perceptions and highlighting the opportunities they offer. Nathalie concludes by discussing her recent research on the intersection of technology and social mobility.
About Nathalie Béchet
Nathalie Béchet, a digital anthropology researcher at L'Atelier BNP Paribas in Paris, has crafted a distinguished career by intertwining cultural anthropology with data science. Since October 2019, her innovative approach has led to the development of hybrid research methods to study emerging technologies, their markets, and societal impacts. Her work encompasses areas such as the virtual economy, online radicalization, ethical algorithms, and the digital shift's socio-cultural changes. Béchet has also engaged in cutting-edge research, including participating in the Digital Methods Initiative Data Sprint 2020 and leading a three-month ethnographic field study in Taipei on the use of office fengshui in Chinese entrepreneurial architecture. Her multifaceted contributions to understanding the relationship between technology and society solidify her position as a prominent figure in the field of digital anthropology.
Key Takeaways
Anthropologists are like anti-bias machines, questioning the obvious and uncovering biases.
Data visualization is essential in analyzing digital data and uncovering patterns and insights.
The metaverse and blockchain offer opportunities for creativity, social mobility, and the disruption of traditional industries.
Technology should be seen as a tool that can be harnessed for positive change rather than feared.
Chapters
00:01:32 - Nathalie's interest in anthropology and data science
00:08:23 - Nathalie's experience with learning data science and coding
00:10:48 - The role of data visualization in digital anthropology
00:18:37 - The value of digital anthropology in organizations
00:20:00 - The importance of digital methods for all anthropologists
00:23:24 - Nathalie's perspective on the metaverse and blockchain
00:27:50 - Nathalie's article on NFTs and crypto art
00:31:41 - Other reports Nathalie has worked on
Recommended Links
Nathalie Béchet on LinkedIn
Crypto Art and Crypto Hopes in the Digital Age
Kate Sieck on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:37:00)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Kate Sieck speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. Kate discusses her journey from academia to industry and the various roles she has held in marketing, business intelligence, and product development. She emphasizes the need for anthropologists to apply their skills in areas such as business strategy, risk analysis, and product design. Kate also highlights the importance of building bridges between academia and industry and the opportunities for anthropologists to make a positive impact in the private sector.
About Kate Sieck
Kate Sieck is an anthropologist and senior manager at Toyota Research Institute's Harmonious Communities team. With extensive experience in integrating social theory into business, her career spans leadership roles in RAND Corporation, OLSON, and ReD Associates and faculty positions at Emory and Stanford universities. Known for her ability to combine qualitative and quantitative research with social theory, Kate excels at leveraging anthropological insights to enhance organizational services, products, and communications, benefiting employees, clients, partners, and communities. Her dedication to creating a positive impact drives her success in projects involving internal stakeholders and external clients, seeking to harness anthropological insights for improved outcomes and societal transformations.
Key Moments
00:00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and guest, Kate Sieck
00:01:36 - Kate's interest in anthropology and how she got started
00:05:33 - Kate's transition from academia to marketing
00:10:53 - Exploring different career paths for anthropologists
00:11:58 - The value of anthropology in business intelligence and strategy
00:13:00 - Kate's role in business intelligence and risk analysis
00:20:00 - Kate's current role at Toyota Research Institute
00:21:58 - Opportunities for anthropologists in tech and product development
00:25:00 - The need for anthropology to bridge the gap between academia and industry
00:30:00 - Kate's involvement in EPIC's equity program and upcoming conferences
Recommended Links
Kate Sieck on LinkedIn
Kate Sieck's articles on EPIC
Kate Sieck's articles on RAND
Dariusz Jemielniak on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:34:06)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Dariusz Jemielniak speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. Dariusz shares his journey from anthropology to becoming a Wikipedian and shares his perspective on the intersection of anthropology and data science. He emphasizes the value of programming skills, particularly Python, for ethnographers in effectively [...]
Mujtaba Hameed on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:33:10)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Mujtaba Hameed speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist.Mujtaba shares his journey from undergraduate studies in archaeology and anthropology to his current role as a senior research consultant at Stripe Partners. The discussion highlights the value of anthropological thinking in the business field and emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between qualitative research and data science. Mujtaba also emphasizes effective communication of anthropological insights to clients and stakeholders, ensuring their integration into business strategies. Throughout the episode, listeners gain insights into the transformative potential of anthropology in business research and strategy, the integration of qualitative research with data science, and the relevance of anthropology in understanding the impact of technology on society.
About Mujtaba Hameed
Mujtaba Hameed is a Senior Research Consultant at Stripe Partners, specializing in research and strategy for technology-led businesses. With extensive experience in leading multi-country projects, he assists clients in understanding market dynamics and product development strategies. Mujtaba also serves as the overseer of the Stripe Partners newsletter, Frames, where he applies social science frameworks to address business and technology challenges. With a background in anthropology and a diverse range of roles in strategy and research, including at Canvas8, Sylvain Labs, Inc., and Bamboo Crowd, Mujtaba brings a wealth of expertise to his work. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Archaeology & Anthropology from the University of Oxford and a Master of Science degree in Social Anthropology from UCL, specializing in UX research.
Key Moments
00:01:21 Mujtaba's interest in anthropology and how he got started
00:06:27 Mujtaba's role at Stripe Partners and the type of work they do
00:08:53 The value of anthropological thinking in business
00:11:15 The importance of data science in anthropology
00:15:29 The concept of pathfinding in anthropology
00:20:38 The future of anthropology and its potential impact
00:26:00 Stripe Partners' thought leadership and resources
00:29:18 Mujtaba's vision for the future of anthropology
00:31:43 How to get in touch with Mujtaba and Stripe Partners
Recommended Links
Mujtaba Hameed's website
Mujtaba Hameed on LinkedIn
Stripe Partners
Carmen Bueno Castellanos on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:31:04)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Carmen Bueno Castellanos speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation delves into Carmen's journey, starting with the historical context of anthropology in Mexico and its Marxist influences. She discusses the challenges business anthropologists face in a country where Marxist theory dominates the field and explores the importance of analyzing business practices in Mexico, particularly in the context of globalization since the NAFTA agreement. Carmen also shares her research on the impact of innovation and technology, highlighting the need for inclusive and sustainable approaches and transformative innovation. The conversation then shifts to a recap of the 4th Global Business Anthropology Summit, which was held June 1 - 3, 2023, in Mexico City at the Universidad Iberoamericana. Carmen elaborates on why they selected the theme of Making Conscious Futures and the importance of awareness, connections, and uncertainty in shaping a better future. She also emphasizes the value of transdisciplinarity, collaboration, and having a clear purpose in contributing to a positive impact and offers some advice for future GBAS organizing teams.
About Carmen Bueno Castellanos
Carmen Bueno Castellanos is an anthropologist specializing in Social Anthropology. Holding degrees from Syracuse University and the Universidad Iberoamericana, she is recognized for her expertise and is a member of prestigious organizations such as the National System of Researchers and the Mexican Academy of Sciences. Currently serving as the Coordinator of the Master's and Doctorate programs in Social Anthropology at the Universidad Iberoamericana and a research professor, Carmen's research delves into the relationship between local expressions of the global and innovation processes in global companies. Her influential publications, including the book "Productive Configurations in Globalization: Mexican Trajectories," have been featured in renowned journals. Carmen's dedication to research and teaching highlights her significant contributions to the field of anthropology.
Key Moments
00:00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and guest Carmen Bueno Castanos
00:01:47 - Carmen's background and introduction to business anthropology in Mexico
00:03:00 - Importance of analyzing and understanding business in Mexico during the nineties
00:04:00 - Impact of the NAFTA agreement on Mexico's globalization process
00:06:00 - Carmen's focus on innovation and anthropology of organizations
00:07:00 - Overview of the Global Business Anthropology Summit
00:08:00 - Theme of the summit: Making Conscious Futures
00:09:00 - Importance of business anthropology in Mexico and its role in shaping the future
00:11:00 - Challenges and opportunities in sustainable and inclusive innovation
00:12:20 - Anthropology in Mexico, its history, and its role in shaping the future
00:17:00 - The fourth Global Business Anthropology Summit and the theme of making conscious futures
00:19:01 - Inspiration for the summit: awareness, connections, and uncertainty
00:20:04 - Importance of having a vision for the future and making connections with diverse communities
00:23:00 - Importance of engaging with ecosystems and learning from different cultures
00:25:17 - The summit's focus on inspiring new generations to change the economic system
00:25:52 - The importance o...
Liz Lewis on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:34:07)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Liz Lewis speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation delves into Liz's unconventional journey into content marketing, exploring its role in enhancing brand recognition. Using examples from her career, Liz illustrates how her anthropological research skills have been instrumental in creating compelling content that resonates with a broad audience. The conversation extends to explore strategies for top-of-funnel marketing, concerns surrounding the misrepresentation of survey data, and the advantages of diverse content mediums. Lastly, Liz imparts her knowledge on the importance of research-backed thought leadership in content marketing, underscoring its role in solidifying a company's position as a respected industry authority.
About Liz Lewis
Liz Lewis is an accomplished tech anthropologist with a PhD in Anthropology, specializing in the nexus of research and content creation. She's a skillful qualitative researcher and a proficient writer with more than a decade of experience across various formats, from corporate blogs and white papers to podcasts and scholarly writings. Liz currently serves as the Corporate Content Lead at Miro, where she's been instrumental in refining the company's content strategy. Previously, as a Senior Content Marketing Manager at Indeed, she led the editorial strategy, managed a team of content creators, and produced high-profile thought leadership materials recognized by major news outlets. Alongside her corporate roles, Liz has maintained a prolific freelance writing career spanning nine years, contributing to diverse publications on topics such as science, culture, and health.
Recommended Links
Liz Lewis' website
Liz Lewis on LinkedIn
Michael Powell on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:41:30)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Michael Powell speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. The conversation begins with a discussion of Michael's graduate school experience and how he combined his passion for art and anthropology. Michael shares how he adapted to a business environment and found creative research projects. Later in the episode, Michael and Matt discuss the benefits of remote ethnographic research and the challenges and opportunities of working as an independent consultant. Michael also discusses the art of ethnographic listening and shares his advice on starting a business.
About Michael Powell
Michael Powell is an anthropologist, design strategist, UX researcher, and writer with a passion for studying people and their behaviors. He transforms research into insights that help teams make smarter decisions. Michael's research design and methods employ a human science approach, enabling him to discover solutions efficiently and effectively. He believes that collaboration is critical and tailors his research for different audiences, budgets, timelines, and expectations. Michael works on various aspects of everyday life, from tech products to grocery stores, from voting habits to healthcare devices. He offers a wide range of services, including leading research projects, working with research partners, training others in research, and delivering customer sentiment based on interviews. Additionally, Michael engages in deeper projects that inform product or experience design cycles.
Recommended Links
Michael Powell's Website
Michael Powell on LinkedIn
Gemma John on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:30:33)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Gemma John, founder and director of Human City, speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation covers Gemma's journey from studying anthropology with a focus on the built environment to founding her consultancy, which specializes in socially responsible and commercially viable property development and asset management solutions. It also touches on the WWNA's Apply Club for Anthropology of the Built Environment.
About Gemma John
Gemma John is a highly accomplished applied anthropologist, sustainability advisor, and the Founder & Director of Human City. Her career has been dedicated to driving positive change within the built environment. Gemma's journey started in planning and architecture with leading firms such as AECOM and Foster + Partners in London. In 2017, she founded Human City, a consultancy that drives social value through real estate investment, development, management, and operation. Gemma's extensive experience and expertise have enabled her to work with various private, public, and nonprofit organizations across Europe and Africa, conducting rigorous research and providing strategic guidance on sustainable development. Her commitment to driving meaningful impact is reflected in her extensive education, which includes coursework in Real Estate Economics and Finance at the London School of Economics and Impact Investing in Africa at the University of Cape Town. Gemma's contributions to academia and sustainable development have earned her an Honorary Research Fellowship at University College London's Department of Anthropology and Adjunct Faculty status at the University of Cambridge's Institute for Sustainable Leadership. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce and a Winston Churchill Fellow.
About Human City
Human City is a spatial strategy consultancy that specializes in creating socially responsible and commercially viable property development and asset management solutions. They help clients create new spaces that benefit both the community and commercial aspects. They use their expertise in social science, business intelligence, and design thinking to carry out research, develop strategies, and measure the positive impact on society and the environment. Their work spans four areas of expertise: design futures and strategy, innovation and growth, social value and impact, and tools and techniques.
Recommended Links
Gemma John on LinkedIn
Human City
Apply Club for Anthropology of the Built Environment
Tracy Johnson on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:34:48)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Tracy Johnson, senior program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation covers Tracy's journey from studying psychology to becoming an internationally recognized design anthropologist in global health.
About Tracy Johnson
Tracy Johnson is a senior program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she focuses on user experience and innovation by applying human-centered design across the foundation's grants. She has over 15 years of experience in anthropology and design for various social issues, such as education and human rights, and has held positions as director of ethnographic research for Nurun and research director for Context-Based Research Group. As an internationally recognized design anthropologist, she is also contributing to the merging of design and data science for a more effective synergy. Tracy's global perspective is informed by her living and working experiences in countries such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Laos, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Recommended Links
Tracy Johnson on LinkedIn
DesignforHealth.org
ProjectPathways.org
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Lucia Laurent-Neva on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:32:11)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Lucia Laurent-Neva speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation covers Lucia's journey from design and semiotics to anthropology and how she combines the three disciplines as the Founder of Visual Signo. It also covers Semiofest and the upcoming Global Business Anthropology Summit (GBAS 2023).
About Lucia Laurent-Neva
Lucia Laurent-Neva is a semiotician, designer, and anthropologist skilled in brand strategy, product and brand innovation. For almost 20 years, she has been helping British and global clients in a variety of sectors to understand and anticipate cultural changes across different continents. Lucia’s interest in the practical applications of cultural semiotics began while she was a lecturer at a Colombian university and evolved through senior roles at two London marketing-strategic consultancies. As the founder of Visual Signo and co-founder of Semiofest, she is committed in demonstrating the increasing relevance of semiotics in global brand strategy in commercial organizations.
Recommended Links
Lucia Laurent-Neva on LinkedIn
Visual Signo
Semiofest
GBAS 2023
Tracey Lovejoy on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:31:12)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Tracey Lovejoy speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation covers Tracey's journey from discovering anthropology at the hairdresser to co-founding Catalyst Constellations. Along the way, we learn how Tracey, the catalyst studied at the University of Chicago and worked at E-lab and Microsoft.
About Trace Lovejoy
Tracey Lovejoy is an anthropologist, author of Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out.: The Catalyst’s Guide to Working Well, and the Co-Founder Catalyst Constellations.
Tracey is known for her optimistic outlook, quick mind, freakish intuition, sassy attitude, and drive for results. She is a coach that supports Catalysts and their teams and is the researcher behind the Catalyst movement. Before she became a Coach, Tracey spent 12 years at Microsoft, where she worked at the intersection of technology, design, and innovation, leading teams of change-makers.
She is also the co-founder of the Ethnographic Praxis in Industry Conference (EPIC), the premier international gathering on ethnography in business. When Tracey isn’t helping individuals and organizations transform, she’s hanging out with her kids, cleaning up after pets, or stealing moments to feed her reading addiction.
About Catalyst Constellations
Catalyst Constellations is a change accelerator that leverages research driven insights and executive experience to catalyze innate changemakers to build future proof companies that thrive. The company was founded by Tracey Lovejoy and Shannon Lucas in 2017.
January 2023 Catalyst Empowerment Summit
Catalyst Constellations hosts two Catalyst Empowerment Summits yearly. The summits are designed by and for Catalysts, offering short talks with actionable insights. The events are free, and curate an amazing selection of thought leaders – each with their own domain expertise on different facets of our lives as Catalysts! The next event is January 26, 2023 7 – 11am Pacific | 4 – 8pm CET. Register for the event on LinkedIn.
Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out.
Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out.: The Catalyst’s Guide to Working Well, isn’t your typical change-making book, because it’s not for your typical changemaker. It’s for the innovators who can’t stop taking in information, connecting dots, and changing the world—even when the world hasn’t asked for it. Even when the changemaker desperately needs a break.
Recommended Links
Tracey Lovejoy on LinkedIn
Catalyst Constellations
Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out.
January 2023 Catalyst Empowerment Summit
Anders Kristian Munk on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:40:57)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Anders Kristian Munk speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. The conversation covers Ander's journey from human geography to Techno-Anthropology. About Anders Kristian Munk Anders Kristian Munk is an anthropologist, associate professor, and the director of The Techno-Anthropology Lab at Aalborg University in Copenhagen. He holds degrees in ethnology and [...]
Lianne Potter on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:32:10)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Lianne Potter speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation covers Lianne's journey from studying anthropology to self-learning software engineering and working in cyber security as the Head of SecOps for Asda.
About Lianne Potter
Lianne Potter is an award-winning security transformation manager, change-maker, tech founder, digital anthropologist, and tech diversity and inclusion advocate. She is the Head of SecOps for Asda and also the founder of The AnthroSecurist.
Lianne’s passion is to ensure that the tech we use is as secure as possible while, at the same time, removing barriers for those who create it and fostering environments for innovation and growth. Lianne evangelizes a cultural security transformation that begins with embedding values that never compromise or neglect the human experience. Her mantra is: When you follow the cables, behind every piece of tech is a person, consumer, and creator, and we should never lose sight of this.
Recommend Links
Lianne Potter on LinkedIn
Lianne Potter on Twitter
Keirsten Snover on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:31:11)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Keirsten Snover speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation covers Keirsten's journey from studying anthropology to founding Anthropology 4U, an online education company offering courses in anthropology.
About Keirsten Snover
Keirsten Snover is an Anthropologist with two Master's degrees in Anthropology. She is the founder of Anthropology 4U, which offers online courses in all four fields of Anthropology to the general public. Keirsten has multiple disabilities and uses a wheelchair to get around, a feeding tube to eat and drink, and a ventilator to breathe. All this does not stop her from teaching!
About Anthropology 4U
Anthropology 4U offers a unique educational experience for lifelong learners by providing online courses in all four fields of Anthropology! The academy offers 7 online courses and has trained 1700 students.
Recommend Links
Keirsten Snover on LinkedIn
Anthropology 4U
Adult anthropology coloring books
Yaya Ren on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:41:12)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Yaya Ren speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation covers Yaya's journey from her dissertation research in the NICU to founding a tech company. Her company, PreeMe+You, is a social benefit company that empowers parents by harmonizing NICU care and communication to produce your preemie’s best health outcomes.
About Yaya Ren
Yaya Ren is a medical and cultural anthropologist. She is passionate about bringing the science of human interactions to create mobile technology solutions that improve quality of life and health outcomes for preemies and their families. She has conducted extensive field work capturing the social-emotional and health disparity journeys of NICU families in the U.S and Taiwan, focusing on bridging communication gaps between medical teams and families. PreeMe+You combines her industry experience bridging online-offline social interactions with her social science expertise in NICU medicine and epidemiology.
About PreeMe+You
PreeMe+You is a social benefit health startup that improves premature infant health and developmental outcomes. PreeMe+You develops neonatal interaction and communication tools that shape parent-infant relationships and parent-medical team partnerships for improving long-term health and quality of life outcomes for preemies and their families.
The seed for PreeMe+You began when Dr. Yaya Ren, a medical and cultural anthropologist and Dr. Bree Andrews, a professor of pediatrics and neonatologist, came together over many cups of cafeteria coffee to share stories about the inspired tenacity of families who juggle everyday life with the demands of caring for their preemies.
Recommend Links
Yaya Ren on LinkedIn
Yaya Ren on Twitter
PreeMe+You Website
Grant McCracken on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (00:54:37)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Grant McCracken speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. The conversation covers Grant's journey from museums to being a consultant and author. It also touches on Grant's new book Return of the Artisan: How America Went from Industrial to Handmade.
About Grant McCracken
Grant McCracken is an anthropologist studying American culture for 25 years.
He has worked for many organizations, including Timberland, New York Historical Society, IKEA, Google, Ford Foundation, Kanye West, Netflix, Sony, Coca-Cola, Sam Adams, Boston Book Festival, Delta, Oprah, Reddit, PBS, State Farm, NBC, Diageo, IBM, Nike, and the Obama White House.
He is a long-time student of culture and commerce, publishing two books on the topic: Culture and Consumption I, and Culture and Consumption II. He argues that all corporations need to take culture more serious, publishing a book called Chief Culture Officer (Basic Books). This was named one of the best innovation books by BusinessWeek in 2009.
His most recent book, Return of the Artisan, delves into the evolution of the artisanal movement from the fringes of the 1970s to the spike of domesticity—home-cooking, gardening, and DIY crafting—caused by COVID-19 and what it means for the future of work and American culture.
He is the inventor of The Griff, an early warning system for social and cultural change (see www.mapping-the-future.com). He is credited with spotting the rise of Donald Trump, the fall of Second Life, and the disruption of CPG by Alice Waters and the artisanal movement.
Recommend Links
Grant McCracken on LinkedIn
Grant McCracken on Twitter
Return of the Artisan: How America Went from Industrial to Handmade
Christine Miller on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (01:06:12)
In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Christine Miller speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation covers Christine's journey from studying the innovation practices of organizations to finding design anthropology and her current role as a professor of Design Management at SCAD. It also touches on Christine's 2018 book, Design + Anthropology, and a forthcoming book on design anthropology.
About Christine Miller
Christine Miller is a design educator, researcher, and practitioner working at the intersection of anthropology, design, and business.
Her Ph.D. research integrated anthropology, management/organizational studies, and business in an ethnographic study of process formalization and the relationship between innovation and formalization at a Tier One automotive supplier.
Her research interests focus on sociotechnical systems and the ways in which sociality and culture influence the design and diffusion, adoption, and adaptation of new products, processes, and technologies. She also studies technology-mediated communication, knowledge flows within pluridisciplinary groups and teams, and the emergence of co-located and technology-enabled collaborative innovation networks (COINs).
She is currently a Co-PI on a NSF grant studying the ethics and cultures of STEM research groups. She is exploring how developing context-specific ethical guidelines co-designed by lab and research group members might help cultivate ethical culture.
She currently teaches at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia. From the fall of 2014 until May 2018, she taught at IIT in Chicago for the Stuart School of Business and in the Institute of Design.
Her most recent book, Design + Anthropology was published by Routledge in 2017. She is currently working on a follow up book on design anthropology.
Recommend Links
Christine Miller on LinkedIn
Design + Anthropology book
Design Anthropology Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Anthropology article
