Interview with Linda A. Bennett, November 18, 2011

Interview Summary

Linda A. Bennett, an applied anthropologist and faculty member at the University of Memphis, talks about her career in anthropology. She discusses her involvement in various anthropological associations in Washington, D.C., including being the president of the Washington Association of Professional Anthropologists for a period of time. She talks about her applied anthropological research on family alcoholism, both in the United States and in Yugoslavia during the 1980s. Bennett recalls her experiences in the National Association for the Practice of Anthropology, the Mid-South Association of Practicing Anthropologists, the Society for Applied Anthropology, and starting the Consortium of Practicing and Applied Anthropologists. She discusses the roles of these organizations in assisting applied anthropologists in finding careers, internships, and mentorships through the network of each organization. Bennett then talks about her work with the anthropology program at the University of Memphis, of which she is currently the Associate Dean. She discusses the development of the applied anthropology field within the department, as well as the various efforts by students to assist the Memphis community through anthropologically-based community programs. Bennett talks about what she believes is the future of applied anthropology, which involves expanding the field of “acceptable” careers for anthropology students to pursue.

Interview Keyword

Mid-South Association of Practicing Anthropologists Consortium of Practicing and Applied Anthropologists Anthropology departments Anthropology societies Anthropological organizations Consortiums Applied anthropologists

Interview LC Subject

Anthropology Anthropologists Applied anthropology Bennett, Linda A. Washington (D.C.) Universities and colleges Society for Applied Anthropology Washington Association of Professional Anthropologists University of Memphis American Anthropological Association National Association for the Practice of Anthropology (U.S.)

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.