Anthroprospective is a startup dedicated to bridging the gap between academic social sciences and the general public.

Our vision is to create a world where social research drives meaningful civic discourse, fostering understanding and dialogue around complex social challenges. By making social science research more accessible, we aim to address the growing polarisation in society, social isolation, and the lack of sensemaking around pressing issues like ethics, justice, and the metacrisis.

Our mission is to elevate the role of the social sciences—especially anthropology—beyond academia, showing how it can help navigate the uncertainty and complexity of today’s world. We do this through creative and engaging events, podcasts, and community initiatives that bring people together to explore diverse perspectives on the most pressing issues of our time. By fostering conversations and collaborations across different sectors, Anthroprospective aspires to help build a more informed, empathetic, and resilient society.

Our theory for change is rooted in the belief that social cohesion and understanding can be achieved through fostering critical thinking and civic dialogue around complex social issues. By connecting social scientists with wider audiences and showcasing their work in ways that resonate, we believe we can cultivate greater empathy and sensemaking, helping society better address its most urgent challenges.

From September 29th to October 4th, Anthroprospective will take up residency at The Ethics Center in Sydney. During this time, we will interview 10 leading anthropologists, philosophers, and policymakers, culminating in the production of our ‘In Conversation’ series, Exploring the Intersection of Anthropology, Ethics, and Creativity. This series will delve into how social scientists are navigating changing ethical landscapes in their work, why the social sciences are crucial to addressing the metacrisis, and the importance of fostering civic discourse to enhance understanding of complex societal issues. Through this series, we aim to highlight why it’s essential for social sciences to have impact far beyond the academic world and play a central role in shaping the future of our society.

MEET THE TEAM

Courtney Boag

Courtney is a social anthropologist who holds a First-Class Honours degree from the University of Queensland. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work based on her previous expertise within the community and international development sector. With over six years of experience in native title, Courtney is also well-versed in navigating complex legal landscapes. As the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Anthroprospective, an online journal dedicated to promoting the discipline of anthropology to diverse audiences, Courtney is actively bridging the gap between academia and the broader public.

During her residency at The Ethics Centre, Courtney will be interviewing anthropologists from diverse research backgrounds to explore how they are each navigating ethical changes in their fieldwork. This project will help to seek light on how social research is adapting to respond to fluctuating ethics and what this might tell us about the changing nature of society and our human behaviour and relationality within society. 

Stéphanie Austruy

Stéphanie is a videographer and filmmaker with over a decade of experience across various sectors, including TV and film production and within corporate environments. She is particularly interested in capturing the essence of individuals through the documentary format. Her focus seeks to both authentically capture individuals stories and mirror the intricacies of the human centered stories she observes. She aspires to craft visual narratives that resonate with others in a way that celebrates the human story and lived experience.

During her stay at The Ethics Centre, Stéphanie will be capturing the spirit of the residency, by weaving each interview into a tapestry of insightful and nuanced conversations which will be freely archived on the Anthroprospective website for all to access.  

RESIDENTS IN ACTION