10 CET: Graham Pruss

Seeing the future of human settlement

Does the future of human settlement need new models? Settler colonialism, wherever in the world it has taken place, has created private environments within public spaces. Can we learn from the realities of unhoused or home-less communities around the world; from mobility, environmental catastrophe, and displacement? What do you think?

11 CET: Marguerite Coetzee

In South Africa, the youth are ancestors of the future

Today, June 16, is Youth Day. It honours youth’s contribution to South Africa’s transition into democracy and considers the future of our youth. In 1976 there was an uprising in which school children were massacred. Does the focus on youth in South Africa’s national celebration offer new ways to see the future?

10 CET: Lotta Björklund Larsen

Data through the anthropological lens

What are data? How can we use data to know something? In the age of opinions, ratings, facts, fake news etc., there are lots of data – also big data. Many of us use the anthropological gaze to help business sort out what data to use. Let’s discuss worldwide experiences.

11 CET: Keiko Yamaki

Companygraphy, an Instrument of Civilization

Does “Companygraphy” describe how society is organized? A company is a community, a place where people spend time together. Within each role-based team in a company, are overlapping networks of private relationships and collaborations. Products and services are created in a multi-layered set of norms and values. Companygraphy as instrument?

12 CET: Taapsi Ramchandani

In technology we trust, for the future of businesses

Let's talk about intersections of technology, anthropology, and lived experience. In this golden age of the smartphone, can our tools, methods and theories help businesses aggregate people-insights to anticipate the future? How does the anthropological lens fit into quantitative data sources like surveys? Bring your questions and ideas. We’ll chat.

13 CET: Dominique Desjeux

Discovering the Future of Consumption by Observing the Present

Are we facing war between China, the USA, and other countries because of the globalization of consumption? Competition for raw materials, "proteins" (soybean) and energy yields conflict. Perhaps business anthropology’s work in observing and tracking material, social, and symbolic constraints on consumption can deter conflict. What do you think?

12 CET: Jonas Ecke

Humanitarian crises - what can anthropology do?

What is the public awareness of businesses’ role in humanitarian crises witnessed across the globe? Global warming, Covid-19, persistent famines and forced migration, unending proxy wars in the Middle East. Do anthropologists in business and in global and local NGOs have influence in remedying and preventing such crises?

13 CET: Camilla Carabini

What is the (digital) money of the future?

Can anthropology add to the study of new kinds of money? Fintech giants contribute to radical change in the use of digital money from Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies to the stablecoins. Governments are developing digital currencies too. How will monetary sovereignty be reshaped? What will be the implications for businesses?

14 CET: Federico Barbieri

Business Anthropology revitalizing public spaces

Can corporations use anthropology to build the social and cultural fabric and revitalize cities? In Genoa, for example, the MONUMENT© Project - a collaboration of industrial partner MecPlex and the Politecnico di Milano - a square or park may become the city’s investment in social sustainability. What about your experiences?

14 CET: Jean Balestrery

The Transforming Terrain of Organizations

What are some emerging trends in business organization? From diverse teams to digital geographies, from empathic organizations to work-life flexibility, moving beyond business-as-usual. For example, my work in the private health insurance industry in the U.S., witnesses less soloing today. What organizational shifts are you seeing or contributing to?

15 CET: Lora Koycheva

Marketing Anthropology?
Or Cassandra's Curse?

Is anthropology an avant-garde discipline, ahead of its time? Does anthropology suffer from Cassandra´s curse? How can anthropology become a lens for new ways of seeing? What is lost and what is gained in the space between marketing the discipline to others, translating our empirical apparatuses, and negotiating our jargon?