Today universities are challenged to become more actively engaged with society, government, and the private sector. By partnering with people to reduce inequities and provide greater access to knowledge gained from anthropological research, universities can play a larger role in democratizing society. This engaged stance moves the application of theory, methods, and practice toward action and activism, and reduces the growth of disparities in underserved communities.

Join us for a Chats in the Stacks book talk with Sam Beck, senior lecturer in the College of Human Ecology and director of Cornell’s Urban Semester Program. His new book Toward Engaged Anthropology (Berghahn Books, July 2013) presents essays by seven experts on a new form of engaged, public anthropology that is taking hold in the field. The book is co-edited by Carl A. Maida.

Light refreshments will be available throughout the event, and books will be available for purchase and signing.