Applied Anthropology in Latin America: Towards a Hemispheric Dialogue

Abstract

While practicing applied anthropology reflects nation-based interests and contradictions regarding the use of knowledge in the realms of academia, policy, and politics, the interpenetration of knowledge is also influenced by power disparities across countries. This special issue employs a historical and hemispherical perspective to understand Latin American applied anthropology by (1) sharing recent work by Latin American applied anthropologists in English; (2) identifying themes that encourage dialogue with counterparts in the Global North; and (3) suggesting ways to use knowledge that could link anthropology from the North and the South in the American continent. Illustrating with applied work in six Latin American countries, this issue reflects my long commitment to encouraging greater discourse among applied anthropologists in the Americas.