Power, Participation, and Policy: A Narrative Review of Public Anthropology
Keywords:
Public Anthropology, Participatory Research, Community Engagement, Social Advocacy, Policy Impact, Ethnography, Social JusticeAbstract
This study explores the transformative role of public anthropology in addressing social inequality, supporting marginalized communities, and influencing policy. Using a structured narrative review, it synthesizes peer-reviewed literature from Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed (2015–2025) focused on participatory research, community engagement, and social advocacy. The review identifies four key themes: the evolving role of anthropologists in advocacy, the effectiveness of participatory approaches, their influence on public policy and community resilience, and global comparisons between strategies in the Global South and North. Case studies from Canada, Brazil, and Wales demonstrate that collaborative research enhances policy relevance and empowers local communities. Despite these contributions, the review notes systemic challenges, including institutional resistance, epistemological biases, and logistical barriers, which limit the full integration of anthropological insights into governance. It concludes that public anthropology has strong potential to advance equity, accountability, and sustainable change. Realizing this potential requires ongoing community engagement, innovative methodologies, and alignment with policy processes. Future research should examine how to scale participatory approaches and assess their long-term impact.
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