Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Jennifer Studebaker speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation focuses on Jennifer’s journey from academia to applied anthropology, her experiences in various roles, including project management and market research, and her recent work on the Career Tools for Anthropology workbook. Jennifer shares insights on the value of anthropological skills in business settings, the importance of networking, and her passion for making anthropological knowledge accessible to students and practitioners alike. She also discusses her new consulting company, Studebaker Consulting LLC, and plans to offer training in practical business skills. About Jennifer Studebaker Jennifer is the owner and founder of Studebaker Consulting LLC. She is a business anthropologist and a PMP® certified project manager. She has over twelve years of research, operations, and communications experience. She has worked with nonprofits, foundations, startups, market research firms, and other consultants. She is based out of Kansas City, MO, but welcomes collaboration opportunities across the US and globally. Jennifer is a Co-Chair of the Anthropology Career Readiness Network (ACRN). Serving in this role has allowed her to give back to her discipline and help anthropology graduates discover the potential of their education. She is a co-editor and co-author of Career Tools for Anthropology. Jennifer, along with her ACRN Co-Chairs Elizabeth Briody and Riall Nolan, consults with anthropology departments on how to improve the career readiness of their curriculum. She is also a member of the Society for Applied Anthropology’s Nominations & Elections Committee. Key Moments 00:31:30 – Jennifer explains her initial interest in archaeology and the pivot to biocultural anthropology in college. 00:05:20 – She describes her exposure to applied anthropology during graduate school at Purdue University. 00:15:35 – Jennifer shares her experience at mySidewalk, where she first applied anthropological methods to solve business challenges. 00:20:00 – She discusses her transition to the Kauffman Foundation and the importance of networking in securing the position. 00:26:20 – Jennifer talks about her interest in project management and obtaining the PMP certification. 00:30:40 – She explains the origins and development of the Career Tools for Anthropology workbook. 00:34:04 – Jennifer provides information about her consulting work and future plans for offering Google Drive training. Recommended Links Jennifer Studebaker on LinkedIn Studebaker Consulting LLC Anthropology Career Readiness Network (ACRN)

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Timothy Malefyt speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. The conversation focuses on Tim's new book, Business Anthropology: The Basics. They explore how anthropology can be applied within business contexts, making it a powerful tool for understanding organizational culture, consumer behavior, user experience, and the ever-evolving digital landscape. Tim [...]

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Jay Hasbrouck speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. They also discuss the evolving role of anthropology and insights in business, the second edition of his book Ethnographic Thinking: From Method to Mindset, and how ethnographic thinking can help organizations navigate complexity and uncertainty in areas like [...]

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Matthew J Hill speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. Matthew details his transition from the fields of chemistry and philosophy to anthropology and its application in the business context. He highlights his early experience with design anthropology and its influence on his subsequent focus on organizational development and design. Matthew discusses the approach of addressing complex organizational issues through a comprehensive perspective and outlines his process of organizational consulting. About Matthew J Hill Matthew J. Hill, an anthropologist specializing in organizational contexts, leads Matthew J. Hill Consulting. His current professional focus is on organizational development and design, serving mission-driven organizations, government agencies, and institutions of higher education. Matthew's professional path is marked by roles at eLab, Doblin Group, and CFAR. His academic journey encompasses a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Colorado, a Master's degree in Philosophy from Boston College, and culminates in a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Chicago.  Key Takeaways Athropologists can apply their skills in organizational development and design by taking a holistic approach to problem-solving and understanding the complexities of organizations. Organizational development and design require deep knowledge of the organizational context and collaboration with clients to collectively solve problems. Anthropologists can contribute to organizational effectiveness by conducting organizational diagnosis, facilitating workshops, and helping organizations adapt to change. Mission-driven organizations, government agencies, and higher education institutions are ideal sectors for anthropologists interested in organizational development and design. Chapters 00:01:27 Matthew J Hill’s journey from studying chemistry to anthropology and his doctoral research in Cuba on the use of historic cities in heritage tourism. 00:06:58 Matthew’s experience at eLab and Doblin, where he applied ethnography to inform design and develop deeper insights into user needs. 00:10:00 The importance of taking a holistic approach to problem-solving and the alignment of anthropology with design thinking. 00:12:03 Challenges in the design anthropology field and the transition to working at CFAR. 00:15:33 Transition to organizational development and design work 00:19:00 Importance of contracting and defining the problem 00:20:00 Discovery work and organizational diagnosis 00:23:01 Partnership and collaboration with clients in organizational work 00:25:33 Importance of leadership and collaboration in organizations 00:26:41 Getting started in organizational work Recommended Links Matthew J Hill on LinkedIn Matthew J Hill Consulting

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Margret Jaeger speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. Margret discusses her journey into anthropology and her current role in the research department at the Social Fund Vienna Education Center. She explains the challenges of introducing qualitative research methods in a predominantly quantitative-focused organization. Margaret also shares her experience in building a research team and the value of interprofessional collaboration. She emphasizes the need for anthropologists to have a holistic view of the world and their ability to understand and adapt to different contexts quickly. She also discusses her advocacy work in promoting medical anthropology in healthcare education and the importance of training local trainers to ensure cultural sensitivity and relevance. About Margret Jaeger Margret Jaeger, an Austrian medical anthropologist, leads the research department at the Vienna Social Fund Education Centre. Her work focuses on the intersection of education and practice for care professionals, emphasizing the integration of anthropological insights into healthcare training. In addition to her primary role, Margret co-founded the Apply Club Health of the AAN-EASA, where she actively promotes the inclusion of medical anthropology in the education of health professionals. Her efforts in this area contribute to the broader understanding and application of cultural and social perspectives in healthcare training and practice. Key Takeaways Introducing qualitative research methods in a predominantly quantitative-focused organization requires explaining the value and benefits repeatedly. Building a research team involves finding individuals with the necessary training and experience and providing them with opportunities for growth and development. Anthropologists have a unique ability to quickly understand and adapt to different contexts, making them valuable in various business sectors. Interprofessional collaboration is essential in healthcare and other fields to address complex problems and improve outcomes. Training local trainers is crucial to ensure cultural sensitivity and relevance in healthcare education. Chapters 00:02:00 Margaret's interest in anthropology and journey into medical anthropology 00:04:00 Challenges of finding a job in anthropology in Austria 00:05:00 Trends of anthropologists going into other business sectors 00:07:00 Importance of networking and support among anthropologists 00:08:00 Margaret's role as researcher number one in building a research team 00:10:00 Research focus on improving courses for non-academic nurses and care professionals 00:12:00 Challenges of getting buy-in and explaining the value of research 00:13:00 Supporting colleagues as a teacher and researcher 00:14:00 Challenges of building a qualitative research team and overcoming them Recommended Links Margret Jaeger on LinkedIn Apply Club for the Anthropology of Health

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Kasper Tang Vangkilde speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. Kasper discusses the challenges of bridging the gap between academic anthropology and applied anthropology and the importance of breaking down the distinction between the two. He shares the changes he has seen in the field of business anthropology over the past 15 years, including the integration of design and anthropology. Kasper expands on that and highlights the value of design anthropology in studying and changing organizations. Finally, he discusses his new role as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Business Anthropology and his current research project, RE-ANIMATE, which explores visionary designs for life-enhancing economies. About Kasper Tang Vangkilde Kasper Tang Vangkilde is an Associate Professor and Head of Studies at the Department of Anthropology at the University of Copenhagen and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Business Anthropology. His research interests lie at the nexus of business, organizational, and design anthropology, with a focus on formulating theoretical frameworks for understanding social and cultural dimensions in corporate settings as well as enhancing the applicability of anthropological methods in societal and business contexts. His recent work delves into "life-enhancing design," examining its implications for human and non-human life and its integration into organizational sustainability and responsibility. Vangkilde's past scholarship covers an array of topics, including creativity, branding, and organizational structures, and he has also applied anthropological approaches in the private sector. Key Takeaways Anthropology can be applied to the study of business and organizations, and it is important to break down the distinction between academic anthropology and applied anthropology. The field of business anthropology has evolved over the past 15 years, with more anthropologists actively working in organizations and making an impact through their research. Design anthropology offers valuable perspectives on studying and changing organizations, as it bridges the gap between research and application. The ReAnimate project explores new ways visions for the economy with a focus on regenerating human and non-human life and draws on the concept of animism to understand modern tendencies. Chapters 00:01:19 - Kasper shares how he got interested in anthropology 00:03:00 - Coincidences led Kasper to study anthropology and fashion 00:05:00 - Kasper's interest in consumption and material culture studies 00:07:00 - Kasper's PhD focus on creativity and fashion 00:08:00 - Business anthropology was perceived as new and marginal in the discipline 00:10:00 - Kasper's mission to show business anthropology as a legitimate field 00:11:00 - Using classic anthropological notions to understand business organizations 00:13:00 - Changes in the field of business anthropology in the last 15 years 00:14:23 - The history of business anthropology and its presence in academia. 00:16:00 - The emergence of design anthropology and its value in bridging research and application. 00:19:00 - Breaking down the distinction between a...

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Louise Vang Jensen speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. Louise discusses the evolution of applying anthropology in business within a Copenhagen context. She also shares her journey from studying anthropology to joining Is It a Bird and becoming the Co-CEO. She also discusses how the practice has matured over the years and emphasizes the importance of shifting from a focus on methodology to a mindset.  About Louise Vang Jensen Louise Vang Jensen is a partner and co-CEO at Is It a Bird, a Copenhagen-based strategic innovation agency. With a background in anthropology and over a decade of consulting experience, she focuses on integrating anthropologically informed, human-centered approaches into business. Throughout her career, Louise has led projects and facilitated teams to build innovation capacity and enact organizational change. Her competencies extend to ethnographic research, co-creation, analysis, and project management. She has collaborated with a diverse range of organizations, including commercial companies like NIKE and public sector organizations such as the Municipality of Copenhagen. Key Takeaways Shifting from a focus on methodology to a mindset of curiosity and reflection is crucial in applying anthropology in business. Combining anthropology and design thinking offers strategic potential by integrating slow, reflective approaches with fast, experimental ones. Embracing friction and uncomfortable truths can lead to valuable insights and transformation in client interactions. Chapters 00:01:28 - Louise discovers anthropology 00:03:08 - The focus of anthropology education in Copenhagen was not on business 00:05:07 - Louise reached out to agencies to apply anthropology in business 00:06:22 - Louise joined Is It a Bird after selling a project 00:10:11 - The name "Is It a Bird" is a reference to Superman 00:11:00 - The philosophy of Is It a Bird is to start with questions and curiosity 00:15:00 - Shifted focus from methodology to mindset and value of anthropology. 00:19:00 - Transitioned from data collector to trusted advisor. 00:21:00 - Anthropology is now recognized and acknowledged in business contexts. 00:24:23 - The combination of anthropology and design in strategy 00:25:44 - The potential of anthropology in strategy and problem-solving 00:27:13 - The importance of curiosity and looking around in strategy 00:28:20 - Exploring the role of anthropology as a trusted advisor 00:30:29 - Staying in the trouble and embracing friction 00:32:00 - Encouragement for those starting their own practice 00:32:53 - The value of holding on to uncomfortable truths Recommended Links Louise Vang Jensen on LinkedIn Is It a Bird  

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Melissa Cefkin speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. Melissa discusses how her interest in anthropology began in high school and was further cultivated by her family's international background and experiences living abroad. She pursued her PhD at Rice University, focusing on the Middle East and questions around rethinking anthropology as a discipline. Melissa then transitioned into practicing anthropology, joining the Institute for Research on Learning and exploring the introduction of technology into work systems. This sparked her interest in studying automated systems, leading to roles at companies like IBM, Waymo, and Nissan, where she examined how people interact with and perceive autonomous vehicles. Throughout her career, Melissa has focused on the intersection of people and complex technologies, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and social theory in researching issues like automation and AI. About Melissa Cefkin Melissa Cefkin holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Rice University and has applied her anthropological training and multidisciplinary approach across a range of roles focused on social and behavioral research in organizational and technological settings. Most recently, she transitioned into consulting, focusing on organizational transformation and complex technology development. She previously led user experience research for autonomous vehicles at Waymo and initiated a global research team on vehicle-road user interactions at Nissan. Earlier in her career, she directed research teams at IBM and Sapient focused on data analytics, peer-to-peer work systems, and organizational learning and development. She is also the author of Ethnography and the Corporate Encounter. Key Takeaways Melissa's interest in anthropology began in high school and was influenced by her family's background. Her work focuses on understanding how people interact with and make sense of automated systems. She emphasizes the need for a social theory-informed approach to research and the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry. Melissa believes that anthropologists can and should play a crucial role in shaping the development and implementation of complex technologies. Chapters 00:01:14 - Melissa's early interest in anthropology 00:03:57 - Melissa's academic journey and PhD at Rice University 00:06:00 - Transition from academia to practicing anthropology 00:08:00 - Joining the Institute for Research on Learning 00:11:00 - Transition into the high-tech industry 00:12:27 - Introduction to technology in workplaces and unintended consequences. 00:14:00 - Transition to digital environments and design anthropology. 00:17:00 - Focus on automated systems and autonomous vehicles. 00:25:00 - Learning from interactions with automated systems and trust issues. 00:25:11 - Automated systems and the need for guardrails. 00:28:00 - Importance of critical thinking and social theory in research. 00:29:00 - Concerns about reliance on automated tools and solutions. 00:32:00 - Communicating social theory without jargon and references. 00:35:00 - Consulting work at the intersection of p...

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Nathalie Béchet speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. Nathalie discusses her journey into anthropology and data science. She explains how her interest in understanding social norms and the construction of society led her to anthropology. However, she felt disconnected from the academic focus on traditional topics and wanted to explore contemporary issues. This led her to pursue a master's degree in data science and digital sociology, where she learned about data collection, processing, and analysis. Nathalie emphasizes the importance of data visualization in understanding digital data and highlights the value of anthropology in questioning the obvious and uncovering biases. She also shares her insights on the metaverse and blockchain, challenging the negative perceptions and highlighting the opportunities they offer. Nathalie concludes by discussing her recent research on the intersection of technology and social mobility. About Nathalie Béchet Nathalie Béchet, a digital anthropology researcher at L'Atelier BNP Paribas in Paris, has crafted a distinguished career by intertwining cultural anthropology with data science. Since October 2019, her innovative approach has led to the development of hybrid research methods to study emerging technologies, their markets, and societal impacts. Her work encompasses areas such as the virtual economy, online radicalization, ethical algorithms, and the digital shift's socio-cultural changes. Béchet has also engaged in cutting-edge research, including participating in the Digital Methods Initiative Data Sprint 2020 and leading a three-month ethnographic field study in Taipei on the use of office fengshui in Chinese entrepreneurial architecture. Her multifaceted contributions to understanding the relationship between technology and society solidify her position as a prominent figure in the field of digital anthropology. Key Takeaways Anthropologists are like anti-bias machines, questioning the obvious and uncovering biases. Data visualization is essential in analyzing digital data and uncovering patterns and insights. The metaverse and blockchain offer opportunities for creativity, social mobility, and the disruption of traditional industries. Technology should be seen as a tool that can be harnessed for positive change rather than feared. Chapters 00:01:32 - Nathalie's interest in anthropology and data science 00:08:23 - Nathalie's experience with learning data science and coding 00:10:48 - The role of data visualization in digital anthropology 00:18:37 - The value of digital anthropology in organizations 00:20:00 - The importance of digital methods for all anthropologists 00:23:24 - Nathalie's perspective on the metaverse and blockchain 00:27:50 - Nathalie's article on NFTs and crypto art 00:31:41 - Other reports Nathalie has worked on Recommended Links Nathalie Béchet on LinkedIn Crypto Art and Crypto Hopes in the Digital Age

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Kate Sieck speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. Kate discusses her journey from academia to industry and the various roles she has held in marketing, business intelligence, and product development. She emphasizes the need for anthropologists to apply their skills in areas such as business strategy, risk analysis, and product design. Kate also highlights the importance of building bridges between academia and industry and the opportunities for anthropologists to make a positive impact in the private sector.  About Kate Sieck Kate Sieck is an anthropologist and senior manager at Toyota Research Institute's Harmonious Communities team. With extensive experience in integrating social theory into business, her career spans leadership roles in RAND Corporation, OLSON, and ReD Associates and faculty positions at Emory and Stanford universities. Known for her ability to combine qualitative and quantitative research with social theory, Kate excels at leveraging anthropological insights to enhance organizational services, products, and communications, benefiting employees, clients, partners, and communities. Her dedication to creating a positive impact drives her success in projects involving internal stakeholders and external clients, seeking to harness anthropological insights for improved outcomes and societal transformations. Key Moments 00:00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and guest, Kate Sieck 00:01:36 - Kate's interest in anthropology and how she got started 00:05:33 - Kate's transition from academia to marketing 00:10:53 - Exploring different career paths for anthropologists 00:11:58 - The value of anthropology in business intelligence and strategy 00:13:00 - Kate's role in business intelligence and risk analysis 00:20:00 - Kate's current role at Toyota Research Institute 00:21:58 - Opportunities for anthropologists in tech and product development 00:25:00 - The need for anthropology to bridge the gap between academia and industry 00:30:00 - Kate's involvement in EPIC's equity program and upcoming conferences Recommended Links Kate Sieck on LinkedIn Kate Sieck's articles on EPIC Kate Sieck's articles on RAND