The Anthropological Work in the Field of University Extension Policies

Abstract

This article seeks to reflect on anthropological work in the field of higher education policy, specifically in the area of University Extension. This proposal tackles this issue from my own professional performance at a national public university in Argentina. I briefly summarize key aspects of one of the programs where I participated, as well as its corresponding institutional framework. The relevance of the case lies in its potential to reflect on anthropological praxis, and it encompasses several issues related to my daily work. Anthropological praxis crosscuts the various stages or levels which compose «extension» policies, namely design, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation. My purpose is to analyze the anthropologist’s intervention in this area —university extension—, that represents the «nexus» between the university and the community », in order to contribute to social transformation. However, this perspective emphasizes (or probably emphasized?) knowledge transfer. I examine the notion of extension and the new concepts that are gaining ground. To think applied anthropology, I consider the following topics: the critical distance and the empathic involvement; the «applicability» of concepts and ethnographic methodologies, anthropology as a praxis; and, finally, interdisciplinary work.