Anthroengineering: an independent interdisciplinary field

Abstract

In recent decades, funding agencies, institutes and professional bodies have recognized the profound benefits of transdisciplinarity in tackling targeted research questions. However, once questions are answered, the previously abundant support often dissolves. As such, the long-term benefits of these transdisciplinary approaches are never fully achieved. Over the last several decades, the integration of anthropology and engineering through inter- and multidisciplinary work has led to advances in fields such as design, human evolution and medical technologies. The lack of formal recognition, however, of this transdisciplinary approach as a unique entity rather than a useful tool or a subfield makes it difficult for researchers to establish laboratories, secure permanent jobs, fund long-term research programmes and train students in this approach. To facilitate the growth and development and witness the long-term benefits of this approach, we propose the integration of anthropology and engineering be recognized as a new, independent field known as anthroengineering . We present a working definition for anthroengineering and examples of how anthroengineering has been used. We discuss the necessity of recognizing anthroengineering as a unique field and explore potential novel applications. Finally, we discuss the future of anthroengineering, highlighting avenues for moving the field forward.

Biomechanics in anthropology

“…The application of engineering to anthropology—or “anthroengineering” 1 —is potentially very wide. For example, from a social anthropological perspective Abram 2 draws on her engineering training to examine the role of electricity in “connecting and disconnecting” individuals, places, and objects.…”

Introduction to the theme issue ‘Biological anthroengineering’

“…Introduction to the theme issue 'Biological anthroengineering' Patricia Ann Kramer 1,2 and Michael A. Berthaume 3 1 Department of Anthropology, and 2 Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-3100, USA 3 Division of Mechanical Engineering and Design, London South Bank University, London, UK PAK, 0000-0002-6435-9130; MAB, 0000-0003-1298-242X While using the theoretical foundation and methodological techniques of mechanical engineering to understand living creatures is not unique to biological anthropologists, in 2016, the authors began discussing an integration of anthropology and engineering that is more than simply a borrowing of ideas of one discipline from another. We imagined-and continue to develop-this vision of anthroengineering [1]. But the first step in expanding our ideas beyond our inner circles was to host the world's first symposium on the topic.…”

“…Berthaume & Kramer [1] begin the collection by providing a working definition of the field. Beyond simply a description, they demonstrate the continued need for integrating engineering and anthropology, and the subsequent 12 papers are testaments to that perspective.…”

“…Beyond simply a description, they demonstrate the continued need for integrating engineering and anthropology, and the subsequent 12 papers are testaments to that perspective. Perhaps more importantly is that Berthaume & Kramer [1] establish that the foundational principles of anthropology-such as human variability and ethnography as a data collection tool-are important to engineering in a globally connected, culturally diverse world. Anthroengineering is imagined not as simply cross-or trans-disciplinary work, but rather as its own field.…”

Reforming engineering education and its implications for the engineering profession: perspectives of minoritized students

“…Because this work aims to understand the perspectives of minoritized engineering students, ethnographic research methods, which focus on human behavior, beliefs, and values and are concerned with social differences, inequalities, and the everyday experiences of marginalized groups Evans, 2017;, have been employed to address the central question. Little work has been done to explore the possible applications of anthropology and anthropological perspectives to engineering education (Berthaume and Kramer, 2021). There has been some effort to bridge anthropology and engineering into a new discipline called anthroengineering (Berthaume and Kramer, 2021).…”