PRR Project

Summary

CRIA considers that there are pressing issues in contemporary society to which Anthropology has particular competence to address and respond, taking into account its scientific-humanistic component, its ethnographic and qualitative methodology, its added value in dialogue with civil society, non-governmental organizations, and policymakers. As a subdiscipline, Public Anthropology showcases how anthropology and anthropologists are capable of tackling issues that extend beyond the boundaries of the discipline itself. It sheds light on broader social issues of our era while also promoting open, public dialogues about these issues with the aim of catalyzing meaningful social change. This means that in practice Public Anthropology addresses the intersection of dimensions such as human-non-human (either primates or bots); technological modernization, artificial intelligence, and globalization; environment, climate change, and biodiversity; heritage, museology, and tradition; migration, mobility, and human rights; politics of memory, restitution, and reparation; economy, public policies, and livelihoods; religious practices; conflict, war and cultural clashes. This capacity to intersect various spheres emphasizes the importance of face-to-face interaction and proximity that anthropology establishes with the community, at a time when artificial intelligence tends to shape – and in some cases even replace – the way we think about individuals, communities, and society. CRIA is searching for a highly committed and experienced researcher with a strong background in Cultural and Social Anthropology, especially with a focus on public engagement and interdisciplinary research. The researcher should be active in addressing pressing societal issues and present a competitive track record that demonstrate his/her ability to work effectively with diverse communities and fora. Excellent communication skills, namely in English and Portuguese (both written and oral), are essential, as well as the ability to collaborate with stakeholders from various sectors.The main tasks to be developed by the hired researcher, in order to fulfil CRIA’s aim of consolidating the area of Public Anthropology are: - Conduct ethnographic research to explore and understand complex societal issues, such as human-non-human relations (e.g. virtual space), technological advancements, environmental concerns, cultural heritage preservation, migration, economic policies, and conflicts. - Engage with communities and stakeholders to build relationships, gain insights, and facilitate dialogue on key issues, taking advantage of CRIA’s widely established protocols (local, regional, national and international). - Collaborate and create new interdisciplinary teams within and outside CRIA to develop innovative solutions and interventions that address societal challenges. This should be done in close proximity with CRIA’s branches in four universities, as well as with the two Associate Laboratories CRIA is part of or partner: IN2PAST and Socio Digital Lab. - Communicate research findings through various channels, including academic publications, reports, presentations, and public events. - Provide advanced training to students enrolled in the PhD programs of which CRIA is responsible of, as well as providing mentorship to junior researchers developing projects in this field of specialization. - Create and design new courses about emerging trends and developments in the field of Public Anthropology, thus contributing to advancing the discipline through research and leadership. - Work closely with CRIA’s staff in order to develop new projects by identifying funding opportunities, conceptualizing research proposals, and building partnerships with national and international organizations. - Manage budgets, timelines, and deliverables to ensure successful implementation and achievement of project goals.