People
Caroline Stahley
Email: carolinestahley@usf.edu
MA Student of Applied Anthropology
Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Fellow, Susan K. Ryan Fellow
Education:
- BA, Anthropology and Environmental Studies, Eckerd College (2017)
Advisor:
Research Interests:
Environmental Anthropology, Food Production, Seed Sovereignty, Indigenous Land Rights, Heritage, Folklore, Community-Based Participatory Action Research, Experimental Narrative Ethnography
What is applied anthropology to you?
An applied anthropology project deliberately seeks the input of participants for research design. Rather than pursue knowledge purely for the sake of knowledge, research outcomes should benefit, be shared with, and aid in the development of positive changes for community members.
How do your applied interests relate to your sub-field of anthropology?
Blueprint development and sustainability initiatives often overlook the unique context and perspectives of communities. Environmental anthropologists work with community members to understand problems 鈥渙n the ground,鈥� often acting as middlemen to inform policy and develop culturally congruent solutions.
How do you position yourself within applied anthropology?
My perspectives on development, colonialism, and neoliberal economics have been influenced by my time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal from 2018 鈥� 2020. As a result, I firmly believe that indigenous rights should be at the forefront of both environmental anthropology and broader discussions on environmentalism. As part of my research approach, participants are given the opportunity to direct the interpretation and framing of results.