Bridging Critical Pedagogy and Career Readiness in the Applied Anthropology Classroom

Abstract (English)

In 2022, Purdue University’s Department of Anthropology launched a new Professor of Practice in Applied Anthropology position as part of its Anthropologies of Tomorrow initiative. This experimental role was created to support undergraduate student success through the development of an applied curriculum, career readiness programming, and experiential learning opportunities such as internships, participatory research, and other forms of engaged, hands-on practice.

At its core, the position recognizes two pressing realities. First, most anthropology undergraduates will build careers outside of academia and must be prepared to articulate the value of anthropological thinking across a range of professional settings. Second, anthropology departments are facing increasing scrutiny and an ongoing fight for relevance, placing greater pressure on educators to demonstrate the discipline’s value beyond academic contexts.

Leading this career-focused initiative means confronting a persistent tension: How do we prepare students for the demands of the capitalist workforce while remaining committed to critical consciousness, ethical engagement, and anthropology’s reflexive traditions? In this context, classrooms become sites of both urgency and possibility—spaces where we must not only teach anthropological theory, but also equip students with the tools to navigate the realities of applied careers.

Amidst this tension, this presentation explores the pedagogical and practical dimensions of the Professor of Practice role. Drawing on classroom activities, program development, and lived experience, it reflects on what it means to build a student-centered, critically engaged, and professionally relevant curriculum. It also invites conversation around emerging strategies and best practices for preparing students to become not just job-ready, but thoughtful and impactful practitioners in a wide range of applied settings.