Professor Blair Discusses the Application of Anthropological Research

Jay Blair is assistant professor of geography and anthropology at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. Jay earned his PhD in the anthropology program at the GC, before taking a Mellon public fellowship with the American Council for Learned Societies. His ACLS fellowship placed him with an environmental advocacy nonprofit organization, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

In this episode, Jay talks about the pro’s and con’s of applying your research skills in a nonprofit organization; how to tell your professional story in ways that let you bridge academic research and advocacy work; and why the constraints of an unpredictable academic job market might actually push you to rediscover passions and skills you might have sidelined during your PhD.

This episode’s interview was conducted by Anders Wallace. The music is “Corporate (Success)” by Scott Holmes.

Podcase & summary originally appeared in CUNY on February 20, 2019.  View original here.