“Professional ethics in applied anthropology: Theory and practice”. Discussion during the Fieldwork workshop of the Department of Anthropology, European University at St. Petersburg

Abstract

Applied anthropological research is in demand in Russian business, administration and urban development. In spite of this, its methodology is still often unclear to Russian employers and is perceived as somewhat ‘sociology-like’. This idea can lead to conflicts between employers’ expectations and anthropologists’ professional ethics. How can an anthropologist fulfill employers’ requirements while avoiding violation of professional ethics and preserving the security of their informants’ personal data? Discussants analyze some ethically dubious situations in which applied anthropologists might find themselves vulnerable, and attempt to find possible solutions to these problems.