This World Anthropological Union (WAU) webinar focused on anthropological methodologies. The session featured the CAMP (Cultural Anthropology Methods Program) program from Arizona State University. CAMP representatives (H. Russell Bernard, Amber Wutich, Alissa Ruth, Robin Nelson, and Melissa Beresford) discussed their NSF-funded initiative, which aims to develop and disseminate tools for teaching and learning research methods in cultural anthropology.

Key aspects of CAMP highlighted included its shift to online instruction due to COVID-19, the benefits of online learning for methods training, and the development of a YouTube channel with professionally recorded lectures and tutorials. The program’s emphasis on community engagement, decolonization, and the importance of research design in fieldwork were also discussed.

The webinar addressed the importance of the program to students careers, including how it can help students prepare grant applications. The discussion touched on broader issues within anthropology, such as the purpose of anthropological research (scientific inquiry vs. social justice), data sharing and transparency, and the challenges of publishing in languages other than English. Participants also shared insights on the importance of ethical considerations in fieldwork, particularly regarding power dynamics and respecting community perspectives.

The importance of the relationship between the researcher, the language of communication and the cultural context in which research is performed, was also considered in the webinar. The CAMP team expressed a commitment to international collaboration and invited participants to join their community of practice and contribute to their resources. The webinar concluded with an invitation for future collaboration and a reminder of the next WAU webinar in late August or early September. For full chat record, visit :https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t8nUneb5bAxS_IAHLs0jUYygRLUvSZD2GJoxjmZM_y8/edit?tab=t.0