The Anthropological Association for Humankind (AAfH) has established the International Institute for Anthropological Applications (IIAA) to advance the application of anthropology in addressing contemporary human challenges. As part of this endeavor, the IIAA has initiated a transformative Anthropologist Interview Drive with a comprehensive fivefold purpose:

1.    Tracing the Journey of an Anthropologist: The drive aims to explore the origins of anthropologists’ professional paths, delving into the factors that inspired them to choose anthropology, the investments and opportunities that nurtured their growth, and the challenges and milestones that shaped their emergence as contributors to the field. This includes a focus on the interplay of personal ambition, institutional support, and societal context in their professional development.

2.    Evaluating the Transformative Impact of Anthropology: The interviews seek to uncover how anthropological knowledge has enriched the personal, familial, and professional lives of practitioners. This includes examining their significant contributions to the discipline, as well as their influence on policy-making, governance, civil society, and public discourse through the application of anthropological insights and methods.

3.    Documenting Unrecorded Contributions and Insights: A critical objective of the drive is to tap into undocumented experiences, wisdom, and theoretical insights that are often overlooked. By taking a deep dive into their personal and professional narratives, the initiative seeks to highlight the aspirational, visionary, and theoretical contributions of anthropologists, creating a repository of knowledge that ensures the preservation of their intellectual and practical legacies.

4.    Inspiring and Guiding Future Generations: The initiative aims to position anthropologists as role models who have facilitated meaningful societal change. Their stories and achievements will serve as inspiration for future generations, encouraging young scholars to embrace anthropology and its potential to drive positive change in addressing complex human issues.

5.    Preserving the Legacy of Anthropology: The drive also seeks to establish a lasting record of anthropologists’ contributions to human well-being, social harmony, and peaceful coexistence. By documenting their guidance and visionary insights, the initiative aims to provide directions for the future of the discipline, reinforcing its relevance and potential for solving global challenges.

Through this extensive interview drive, the IIAA seeks to honor the contributions of anthropologists, provide a platform to share their legacies, and create a valuable resource for both current and future scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in the field of anthropology. This initiative underscores the association’s commitment to human flourishing, peaceful coexistence, and the advancement of anthropological applications in addressing pressing global issues.